The restaurant industry is abuzz with news that Michael Bauer, the SF Chron’s longtime critic has decided to throw in the towel.
There’s no denying that the critic had a long and distinguished career (32 years, to be exact). Given the length of his tenure, it makes sense that Bauer has been the focus of some criticism himself.
Even so, Twitter chatter has been relatively subdued given the nature of this announcement. Is it because restaurants, chefs, and readers are still soaking in the news that almost seemed like it would never come?
The internet takes no prisoners and spares no retiree, as evidenced below:
I’m leaving The Chronicle after 32 years! My last day will be in September, but I’m not calling it retirement.
— Michael Bauer (@michaelbauer1) July 13, 2018
I worked for Michael and, something you don't see from reading his reviews, he was a terrific executive editor. Best wishes in whatever he does next. @michaelbauer1 https://t.co/TDgiQt9Wfm
— W. Blake Gray (@wblakegray) July 13, 2018
Bauer and Laube, all in one week. Big stuff shifting out on that coast.
— Jon Bonne (@jbonne) July 13, 2018
Michael Bauer retire Bitch
— Richie Nakano (@linecook) July 13, 2018
Sorry just tweeting my drafts
Really excited for @sfchronicle to be the first mainstream media outlet in the country to hire a WOC to be their restaurant reviewer.
— daniel patterson (@dcpatterson) July 13, 2018
Reviews of restaurants that 99% of us can afford to eat at!!! https://t.co/EEtYwCrQOV
— Edible San Francisco (@EdibleSF) July 13, 2018
fuck FINALLY. No one should be a restaurant critic for this long honestly 5 years seems like enough maybe 10 if ur not a dick https://t.co/R26M4a5btl
— Jen Agg (@TheBlackHoof) July 13, 2018
Bad day for Michael Chiarello. Lot of investor calls happening right now.
— John Birdsall (@John_Birdsall) July 13, 2018
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead https://t.co/mM1LmH3BXU via @YouTube
— Preeti Mistry (@chefpmistry) July 13, 2018
Friday The 13th is now an Official SF Holiday #ByeBauer pic.twitter.com/pIxsxJeNZP
— IDK Concepts (@IDKconcepts) July 13, 2018
Michael Bauer just announced his retirement. It would be so great if The Chronicle could hire a new food critic who's not old, white, and male, but I'm not realistically expecting more than 2/3 on that front. (My guess: young, white, and male.)
— daisy barringer (@daisy) July 13, 2018
I'm sure Michael Bauer is looking forward to his next gig as PR spin consultant for the soon to be announced Friedman-Chiarello restaurant group
— Joshua Lowitz (@JoshuaLowitz) July 13, 2018