New Dining Critic at San Diego Magazine

San Diego’s leading lifestyle publication, announced today the addition of Troy Johnson to the editorial team as the new Editor-at-Large and Dining Critic. Johnson, a native San Diegan, is an award-winning food writer, nationally published author and writer and host of Crave, a primetime series on Food Network.

“Troy’s expert restaurant and food knowledge is a natural fit for the magazine and our digital platform,” says Jim Fitzpatrick, CEO & Publisher of San Diego Magazine, “We are extremely excited to have him on board and we know that he will be a strong addition to our editorial team.”

Johnson will primarily cover the city’s food scene—from restaurant reviews to trends, essays, and real-deal journalism on food issues. He will also lend his editing style, media savvy and his trademark humor and voice to the magazine as a whole.

“I’ve always read San Diego Magazine,” says Johnson, “When I was a kid, it seemed permanently attached to our coffee table. I’m thrilled to continue focusing on San Diego’s food scene as it is the best of both worlds—it’s finally progressive enough to be interesting, but it’s not oversaturated like New York or San Francisco. There’s plenty of room for weird, funky, creative, innovative plates of awesomeness.”

Previously, Johnson helped launch San Diego CityBeat as its arts and culture editor. He also developed, wrote and hosted an Emmy-winning music TV show, Fox Rox, in addition to writing stories for SPIN, Rolling Stone, Billboard and Surfer. In 2008, he came out with a nationally published memoir, Family Outing. Between 2009 and 2011, he won seven first place awards for food writing for San Diego Press Club, Society of Professional Journalists and the Orange County Press Club. Most recently, he had dual roles in Riviera San Diego Magazine for 4 years as their Senior Editor and food writer.

“He’s become the defining voice of our city’s food community,” says Erin Chambers Smith, Editor-in-Chief of San Diego Magazine. “His writing is whip smart and his perspective on food and dining is insightful, but there isn’t a lot of pretension there—a rare thing among food writers. That’s the thing so ‘San Diego’ about his character that’s going to hit home with our readers. I am thrilled to have Troy and his tweets on our team.”