| As an avid reader of Fast Forward, and a loyal fan, it saddens me to have to write this first-ever letter to the editor.
Whereas I appreciate the whole of your paper, I have to admit that I did have a favourite page that I turned to as soon as I picked up the Thursday issue. Considering myself somewhat of a "foodie," I always had something to look forward to in your food pages. When you changed your food writer, I thought to myself, "Wow, who would ever leave a job like that?" I realized that it might take you awhile to find someone worthy to fill that position, so I patiently waited in anticipation. I honestly gave it a chance before I crumbled and had to write this letter.
It used to be that the Fast Forward food page covered what was new and hip – and even better, those out-of-the-way places around town that had the chance of being overlooked and neglected. I am happy to admit that Fast Forward led me to a couple of establishments that I may have never found on my own. As of late? I am sad to admit that I no longer even consider Fast Forward as somewhere to look when I am hungry.
How do you decide what is considered food content? Comparing hospital cafeterias and firemen's mess halls does not give me ideas for dinner. Not only that, it does not help to support local eating establishments that would welcome some friendly praise or constructive criticism. Having been a waitress, I can appreciate reading the tips on how to please/piss off your server. But this is not food! What I can really appreciate is advice on which restaurants offer great food, fantastic service or creative atmosphere. Everyone knows that one is usually a trade-off for the other, and that's what makes it so great.
Recently, you were criticized for having mainstream Best of Calgary awards. Do you not see this as an opportunity to bring your readers back to a time where they had other choices outside the mainstream?
All I am asking is that you write about food that the reader can experience. I realize that being a food writer may not be as illustrious as I am making it out to be, but I honestly believe that being "forced" to eat out around town once a week with a couple of friends would not be the worst gig in town.
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