News of the loss of such a talented writer and lover of all things ediblehas left the gastronomic world truly saddened this week. As a member of the James Beard Foundation’s advisory board, a previous media award winner and successful food writer, he was in Chicago to cover the eventbefore he was tragically found dead on Monday morning.
Best known for his work as founding editor of New York Magazine’s food blog, Grub Street, for which he himself won a James Beard Award, he has also contributed tomany other publications, such as the Wall Street Journal, Food & Wine andThe New York Observer. Most recently he was famed for being editor of Esquire withhis brilliant reportage of food and restaurants and a particular persuasion to all things meat!
Under the pseudonym Mr. Cutlets, Josh Ozersky wrote publications such asMeat Me In Manhattan: A Carnivore’s Guide to New YorkandThe Hamburger: A History,where he demonstrated not only the importance of meat, but the way in which it actually functions as a huge social ‘meeting’ point. His busy schedule and deep devotionfor all things meat didn’t stop there, he was alsothe founder of Meatopia, the event series that wasbilled as the “Woodstock of Edible Animals.” An amazing gastronomic event that allowed top chefs from around the States to gather andshow off their meat cooking skills at a enormous public barbeque.
A larger-than-life anddynamic character, Josh Ozerskycould at times be controversial with his writing, but is someone who will never be forgotten. His contributionto food writing and the influence that he had will always be remembered.
We have featured a short film from @munchiesbelow, paying tribute tohis memory and all hiswonderful work.