Good Food
Remembering Jonathan Gold (1960-2018)
There’s a Jonathan Gold-sized hole in the heart of Los Angeles. The Pulitzer-winning LA Times food critic died on July 21, prompting an outpouring of grief and love from around the world.
By Evan Kleiman • • 59m ListenThere’s a Jonathan Gold-sized hole in the heart of Los Angeles. The Pulitzer-winning LA Times food critic died on July 21, prompting an outpouring of grief and love from around the world. For this special tribute, we gathered the voices of colleagues, friends, chefs, and listeners to celebrate the man who taught us how to eat and live in LA. We dedicate this show to our former colleague of 20 years.
In this episode
11 storiesJen Ferro reflects on Jonathan Gold
Jonathan Gold’s voice was introduced to the world through Good Food in 1998. Instrumental in bringing him on the show was current KCRW president Jennifer Ferro , who began her radio career as a producer for Good Food.
Read the story5 minPublishing Jonathan Gold
Mike Sigman was publisher of the LA Weekly during both of Jonathan’s stints at the paper. He recalls Jonathan’s early years as an irritable young writer with a penchant for punk music and anarchist thought.
Read the story5 minA tribute from former colleagues
Several of Jonathan’s former LA Weekly colleagues offer their memories of working with Jonathan.
Read the story4 minJonathan's impact on restaurateurs
At a time when restaurant criticism was fixated on fine dining, Jonathan Gold championed taco trucks, Ethiopian food, and San Gabriel Valley noodle shops.
Read the story3 minChefs remember Jonathan Gold
LA chefs remember how Jonathan touched their lives.
Read the story8 minGood Food's producers reminisce on waiting for Jonathan Gold
Jen Ferro’s successors as managing producer of KCRW’s Good Food recall their time working with Jonathan.
Read the story5 minJonathan's generosity
LA Times arts and culture writer Carolina Miranda was not only was a colleague of Jonathan’s during his final years at the Times, she was a friend who often dined in his home. Evan spoke with her about their time working together.
Read the story6 minDining out with Jonathan
In the past six years, New York writer Peter Meehan shared more meals with Jonathan than anyone outside of Jonathan’s immediate family. The former Lucky Peach editor describes what those excursions were like.
Read the story5 minJonathan's impact beyond LA
Eater national critic Bill Addison recently wrote an article declaring California to be “the most influential force in American dining,” even surpassing New York. He joins Evan to talk about how Jonathan helped make that possible.
Read the story4 min'City of Gold'
Filmmaker Laura Gabbert spent nearly five years filming Jonathan Gold for her acclaimed documentary about Jonathan, called “ City of Gold .” She shares with Evan what she learned about him during that time.
Read the story5 minJonathan Gold's ruling for eating out
In 2010, Jonathan gave Evan Kleiman his rules for finding good restaurants. Eight years later, his wisdom is still timeless.
Read the story6 min
