Grey Lady Goes To The Dogs
OK. I'm taking back my earlier posting about the New York Times' Dining In/Dining Out section unduly being left out in the cold by the Association of Food Journalists awards.
On the cover of the section today:
AT LUNCH WITH COOPER GILLESPIE
He's an Author. Now Serve Him a Dog's Dinner.
By ALEX WITCHEL
Cooper Gillespie is not much of a host.
As we entered his Chelsea apartment, he jumped square in the middle of the cozy-looking couch, leaving me to settle for an upright chair. Then he took off to get himself a drink. I could hear him in the next room, slurping wildly, a terrible thirst sublimely quenched with equal parts delirium, glee and that certain je ne sais quoi that makes New York water taste even better when drunk directly from the toilet.
"He considers the couch his bed," Susan Orlean said, by way of apology, as he leaped back on it, splaying himself across its length. No apologies necessary. Cooper Gillespie is a 2-year-old Welsh springer spaniel, full of what his owner calls "high adolescent spirits" that seemed even higher than usual.
This week, the dog becomes an author when "Throw Me a Bone: 50 Healthy, Canine-Tested Recipes for Snacks, Meals, and Treats," by Cooper Gillespie (Simon & Schuster) reaches stores...
And, I thought Jayson Blair was a travesty. But, this puts me over the edge! This screams Sunday Style section fluff. No way does this type of pet pandering piece belong in a food section. Do I have to actually say it?: a food section for humans!
Now, don't get me wrong. I adore dogs. I'm particularly fond of my next door neighbors' gorgeous Maltese named Freda. And, I'm falling in love with the newest addition to my friends Celeste and Tom's home - Dixie the wonder dog.
But, I'll say it again - an article about dog food does not belong in the Dining In/Dining Out section. So, to conclude this little diatribe: The NYT food editors are barking up the wrong tree. (Bad pun intentional. The Times' food editors don't deserve better today - funfilled feature on cupcakes not withstanding.)