Besha Rodell

Besha Rodell is an accomplished food writer and restaurant critic whose career has spanned major publications including The New York Times, Food & Wine, Bon Appétit, and Eater. Currently serving as restaurant critic for The Age, she brings decades of experience reviewing restaurants and writing about food culture. Her professional journey began in the restaurant industry before transitioning to food writing, eventually replacing Bill Addison as restaurant critic at Creative Loafing in Atlanta. She later moved to LA Weekly and has contributed to numerous prestigious food publications. Known for her honest, nuanced approach to restaurant criticism, Rodell has built a reputation for insightful reviews that balance technical expertise with accessibility. Her 2025 memoir 'Hunger Like a Thirst: From Food Stamps to Fine Dining, a Restaurant Critic Finds Her Place at the Table' chronicles her nomadic childhood and rise in the male-dominated restaurant criticism field. She has traveled extensively for food writing, including international assignments compiling lists of the world's best restaurants. Her writing style combines personal narrative with professional food criticism, offering readers both culinary insight and human connection to the dining experience.