Ms Miller CJ critic

Business First is reporting that Ms Miller in leaving the CJ soon and going to work for Belle Noble Group (Le Moo, Village Anchor, Picnic). In charge of PR and employee training.

Wow, that's a pretty wide swipe to cover...employee training and PR. I'm betting she will be very happy after leaving Gannet.

[Robin Garr]

I'm sure she'll do well in this job. She knows food. My concern about her has always been that she's too connected with too many restaurants in a business way to be an unbiased critic, but this move makes sense. It'll be interesting to see whether the CJ reaches back to industry or looks for a reporter to fill the position.

M;y bet is they just use freelancer(s).

[Robin Garr]

M;y bet is they just use freelancer(s).

Actually, the restaurant critic has always been a free-lancer. Back in the Binghams' day, it was almost always a staff writer or editor, but the job itself was paid separately and not part of one's salaried duties. With Gannett they started using free-lancers who generally were not reporters, but it's never been a salaried staff position.

[Robin Garr]

Dana McMahan would be a great restaurant critic, by the way, and already writes regularly for the CJ. I have a feeling she doesn't want the job, but if I were editor, I'd try to hire her.

Dana McMahan would be a great restaurant critic, by the way, and already writes regularly for the CJ. I have a feeling she doesn't want the job, but if I were editor, I'd try to hire her.

I would throw my bones behind her. She's honest and knowledgeable. This assignment may just get in the way of her other projects, though.

[Robin Garr]

I raised this suggestion in a Facebook discussion and nominated Dana, but she reminded me that she's already turned it down once and really isn't interested in critiquing restaurants. She's very good, though, and she and Brian are good people.