Letters

I get letters all the time; some from people who like what I have to say, or want to ask a question, and some from people who don't like what I say, or disagree with what I wrote. I respond to all letters, positive or negative, unless the writer makes a personal attack on me. In that case, they don't deserve a response.
I'm going to be posting some of those emails here, with my response made public, and I'm going to start with a note that I am keeping anonymous. This email is typical of those I receive from the chefs/managers/owners of an establishment which I reviewed and not necessarily negatively.

'Tis the season...

...to eat. Christmas is all about the food! But please remember, not everyone has enough. If you're lucky enough to be able to afford a little something extra in your groceries, pick up a can or two for your local food bank.
It'll bring a little holiday spirit into your heart knowing you've contributed!

Food Safety

It's been longer than I thought since I last posted, but I'm back now. I've been following with some interest the series of articles in the Chronicle Herald regarding Nova Scotia restaurants and food safety, and have several strong opinions, most of which I'll keep to myself.
I do want to weigh in by sharing my experiences. For the past 5.5 years, I've been writing resto reviews for the Coast, upwards of 200, 250 dining rooms covering everything from fish and chip trucks to posh upscale places.
Aside from reviewing, I eat out regularly ("recreational eating", I call it). In all the years that I have been eating out in Nova Scotia, I have never become ill from a restaurant. And I am quite familiar with food poisoning, having suffered through a particularly nasty case of salmonella that left me hospitalized for two weeks, brought on by a meal from an out-of-province fast food chain.
(That case was officially declared food poisoning as a result of a chicken sandwich being left in the hot line for too long).
I would never say that it can't or won't happen, but I refuse to buy into the fear mongering.