Ask TBC: What are your restaurant reviewer's credentials?
| Sunday, Jul 25 2010 12:00 PM
Last Updated Sunday, Jul 25 2010 12:00 PM
Q: I would like to know what Pete Tittl's credentials are for him to be the restaurant reviewer/critic? Has he ever worked in the front or the back of the house of restaurant? Owned or managed a restaurant? I think it is only fair for the people who are in the restaurant business (I am not) and people like me who enjoy eating out and sometimes not agree with his review to know what his credentials are for him to rate a restaurant.
-- Matthew Schneider
A: Californian Lifestyles Editor Jennifer Self responded:
I suspect it would surprise the millions of people who dine at restaurants every day that they are not qualified to rate the food they're served without the "credentials" of having worked in a restaurant. One of the high points of sharing a meal with friends is rhapsodizing over the sauce on the salmon and kvetching about how the steak was overcooked. Eating isn't a specialized skill we acquire with time and study. We start from the minute we're born and get pretty good at it.
As for Pete's background: Growing up, he worked on and off at his father's café in Wisconsin, which no doubt gives him some perspective on the challenges that come with running a restaurant.
As The Californian's food critic for about 30 years, he has followed dining trends, championed the best kitchens in town, shared news of bold and inventive chefs and mourned the closure of dozens of fine restaurants. He also offers criticism of kitchens he thinks need improvement. Tough? Maybe. Yet he tries to be fair and he's always honest.
But the only "credentials" we require of Pete are a passion for food, the ability to write engaging, useful columns and integrity. At most newspapers, journalists -- not industry insiders -- write the reviews because they are independent from the field they're commenting on (movies are not reviewed by film publicists, for example). Pete's job is not to rationalize about why the soup was cold to save face for the restaurant. His job is to be a regular diner and write about his experience. He eats anonymously, ensuring restaurants won't give him special treatment, and The Californian picks up his tab.
It's OK not to agree with Pete -- he's just a guy who has a passion for food and loves to write about it. But, at the end of the day, aren't those the only "credentials" that matter?
As always, we invite everyone to share their own dining reviews at Bakersfield.com's Inside Guide, an online forum where consumers share information and opinions about local businesses.
Q: I have seen and heard about many different paths for the Westside Parkway but since they are building the overpass on Coffee Road just south of Brimhall, it seems they have made some determinations. Is there a website that shows the path that has been decided on for the Westside Parkway?
-- Mark Bartlett
A: There is such a site -- it actually has information on all the Thomas Roads Improvement Program projects: www.bakersfieldfreeways.us.
Here's the Westside Parkway project description on the site:
This project will construct a new east-west freeway extending from Truxtun Avenue to Heath Road. Initial construction work includes a six-lane freeway from Mohawk Street to Allen Road (4.25 miles) with full interchanges at Mohawk Street, Coffee Road and Calloway Drive. Construction also includes a bridge over the Parkway at Jewetta Avenue, a signalized intersection at Allen Road and sound walls adjacent to residential areas. The Parkway sections from Mohawk Street east to Truxtun Avenue and from Allen Road west to Stockdale/Heath will be built as funds become available.
Q: I ride a motorcycle to and from work late at night and early mornings and I have noticed there are several intersections where I do not trip the signals to change. What can be done to fix this as it is dangerous enough riding a motorcycle much less having to run the lights because they don't change?
-- Mike Hines
A: Bakersfield city traffic engineer Ryan Starbuck answered:
There are two methods the city of Bakersfield utilizes on its traffic signals to detect vehicles. Some traffic signals use magnetic loops cut into the pavement and others use a video camera for detection. Both types of detection systems use a "zone" (or area) in each lane that allows the traffic signal to recognize that a vehicle is present at the intersection. Motorcycles can be harder for the signal to detect since they have a much smaller footprint than a car or truck.
However, the sensitivity of the detection zones is adjusted to eliminate the problem. Over time, the detection zone sensitivity often needs to be readjusted or the loops/cameras may need to be completely replaced. Please call the city of Bakersfield Public Works Department at 326-3724 and report the intersection location, direction of travel, time of day and the lane that is not detecting properly.
Ask The Californian appears on Mondays and Thursdays. Submit questions to asktbc@bakersfield.com or to The Bakersfield Californian, c/o Christine Bedell, P.O. Bin 440, Bakersfield, CA 93302.
