Food Critic Nikki Buchanan Says Farewell to the Republic

Michele Laudig | July 30, 2010 | 4:32pm

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"Food philosopher" Nikki Buchanan has been a pet subject on Chow Bella over the past few years, not only because I've enjoyed reading her work, but also because she's had some interesting career twists.

Earlier today, the news was leaked on EaterAZ that Buchanan just resigned from the Republic.

Buchanan was the longtime food critic at Phoenix Magazine, the publication's definitive voice of culinary taste and also the reason many folks subscribed to the mag. Two years ago, she ripped a new one for pricey (and now defunct!) restaurant Luc's, ending the article with the fab kicker, "Luc's sucks." It was a great read and I laughed out loud when I first read it.

Unfortunately, that also ended her longstanding writing gig, as the publishers weren't too happy that their critic actually, um, criticized an advertiser (El Pedregal was the home of Luc's, and had an ad in the issue following Buchanan's review).

Buchanan went freelance for the Republic, writing the "Everyday Dining" column, and eventually landed a staff position as the daily's Southeast Valley correspondent. She also launched her own blog, The Wild Lavender.

"(I) will continue to do some freelance writing, (and) may teach at a junior college," she said by e-mail today. Beyond that, she's not at liberty to go on the record about what's in the works.

Well, I'm sure we'll have something to look forward to. Best of luck, Nikki!

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