LA Weekly posts Jonathan Gold's job - and loses another

We know now what Jonathan Gold will be doing for the Los Angeles Times. Newsroom sources say he'll be writing about food for the food section, yes (including restaurant reviews), but it's also hoped that he will contribute front page stories on other cultural topics and show up in other sections. His deal, as I understand, was brokered directly by new editor Davan Maharaj, rather than by editors on the food side. Still unknown is whether the Counter Intelligence name that the Times fought Gold over when he left the last time will come back with him. It's expected that current restaurant critic S. Irene Virbila will continue in her role.

Meanwhile, the LA Weekly has posted "an immediate opening for a fulltime food critic and blogger." Food editor Amy Scattergood has posted an amusing piece about the five stages of grief over losing Gold. And, finally, LA Weekly food writer Elina Shatkin was announced today as a new senior editor at Los Angeles Magazine. An excerpt of her exit email to colleagues is below:

Sorry about the mass email. I just want to let you know that I'm leaving my job at LA Weekly to become senior editor at Los Angeles magazine. I've loved my time as a food writer and restaurant critic, but I'm excited about the chance to write longer features and to explore subjects other than food. Official announcement from Mary Melton, the mag's editor-in-chief, is below.
My last day at LA Weekly is Friday, March 2nd. I start at Los Angeles the following week.

After the jump: Los Angeles Magazine editor Mary Melton announces the hire of Shatkin and new deputy editor Nancy Miller.

Hi everyone,
We have two new additions to editorial that I am delighted to announce:

Nancy Miller will be joining us in the new position of Deputy Editor. Nancy has been the West Coast Editorial Director of Fast Company since April 2010, overseeing features and cover packages in the magazine (including the recent Martin Scorsese “Creative Life” cover) and launching FC’s new online culture channel, Co.Create (www.fastcocreate.com). Nancy has been key in developing Fast Company’s coverage of emerging trends in entertainment, technology, and branding. Prior to joining FC, she was a senior editor at Wired magazine for five years and part of an editorial team that executed several of their most successful covers, including the ASME-winning Mystery Issue with J.J. Abrams, the Wired Etiquette Guide with Brad Pitt, The Future That Never Happened with Will Ferrell, and a groundbreaking—and highly controversial—cover story on breast tissue engineering. Before that, Nancy was a staff writer for Entertainment Weekly for five years as well as enjoyed a stint as a freelance producer and correspondent for KCRW’s The Business. Over the course of her career, she’s been a house guest of Ozzy Osbourne, a juror at the Sundance Film Festival, and a winning contestant on The Price is Right! Her favorite neighborhood in L.A. is Fairfax Village. At the magazine, Nancy will be editing stories and packages, overseeing the Buzz section, and guiding our online team. Her first day is March 13. And yes, you can follow her on Twitter @nmillions.

Elina Shatkin will be joining the staff as a Senior Editor. Elina has most recently been a food writer and restaurant critic for LA Weekly and is perhaps best known for her “30 Days” missions, in which she reviews the same item (burgers, sandwiches, ice cream) from a different restaurant 30 days in a row. Before that she was a staff writer in the Calendar section of the Los Angeles Times and the events and festivals editor for The Guide, covering a beat that might entail interviewing a teenage Rubik’s Cube champ, tagging along on a Santa Claus-themed pub crawl, and examining the history of L.A.’s delicatessens. Elina has been a contributor to the book EAT: Los Angeles, film editor of LAist, and a writer for such publications as Bitch, American Cinematographer, Toque, and Variety. She is a regular contributor to KCRW’s Good Food. Born in Kiev, Ukraine and raised in Cupertino, she is an alumna of the UCLA School of Film & Television. Inordinately fond of dogs, owls, bacon, bicycles, film noir, and dark chocolate, she loves exploring the unsung locales of Los Angeles. Elina will be overseeing the Do section, including the Guide, Nightlife, and Travel coverage both in-book and online. Her first day March 6. Yep, you can follow her, too: @elinashatkin.

We are fortunate to have two new staffers who are so passionate and knowledgeable about our city.

Join me in welcoming them.

mm

Previously on LA Observed:
Coup for the LA Times: Jonathan Gold coming back?
Jonathan Gold finds himself in a good spot
This is weird: Village Voice blog says Gold to LAT, citing us *