The New York Times’ Sam Sifton is leaving his position as restaurant critic to be the paper’s national editor.
“I’m stepping down as restaurant critic to be the national editor of The Times. #checkplease,” he wrote on Twitter.
In her official announcement posted on the paper’s food blog, newbie Times executive editor Jill Abramson explained the move, acknowledging Mr. Sifton’s lack of hard news experience:
“From his star runs at Dining and Culture, we all know that Sam is a superb editor who brings infectious energy and a host of original ideas, digital and print, to everything he touches. Correspondents and critics adore him. So who better to fill the shoes of Rick Berke? Sam’s background here isn’t hard news, but we all saw the newsiness and urgency he brought to the Culture report.”
In the same statement, Ms. Abramson also named Adam Bryant, formerly deputy national editor, senior editor for features, tasked with reviving the How We Live group.
