Gossip is a dangerous thing but my source on this one is pretty good.
John Lethlean has quit as joint editor of the Good Food Guide and The Age. His co-editor on the Good Food Guide, Necia Wilden, I can confirm has quit Fairfax Books and The Age.
He was escorted from The Age’s Spencer Street headquarters yesterday afternoon as is usual in these cases, especially if you are going to join the competition. John has confirmed that he left on cordial terms after a god lunch with colleagues including The Age (Melbourne) Magazine editor Angus Holland. But he wouldn’t elaborate on what he will do next.
Most of what I’ve heard is gossip and unsubstantiated but if it is true this is the biggest shake-up in food writing in Melbourne ever. It would have have far ranging ramifications.
Lethlean as we know is prolific. Each Tuesday in Epicure restaurateurs, chefs and just f–dies turn to his Page 3 gossip column “espresso” and his review. He also writes a column for the high circulating Saturday Age section A2 and for The Age Melbourne Magazine.
It leaves Neil’s prize for Menu for Hope uncertain and perhaps why earlier this week Lethlean said to me in an email when I asked if he’s offer the prize for Neil to host:
“yes, sure, of course. Provided I still have a reviewing gig when the prize matures, that is… strange times we live in.”
I’ve emailed John to ask if we need to withdraw the prize.
The first rumours said one of them may be going to Gourmet Traveller, where he is Melbourne correspondent, full time or to the Herald Sun. Then the Herald Sun firmed-up in the rumour stakes.
It’s been a big year for rumours. One doing the rounds was that Jill Dupleix and Terry Durack were to return to Melbourne to take over the recipe and reviewing gig on the Herald Sun.
They were also recently rumoured to have been offered Matt Preston’s old job as creative director of Melbourne Food and Wine Festival – candidates are being interviewed this week and next.
These are crazy times. People all around me are losing their jobs including my own partner as well as those of other bloggers.
Stay tuned for more Lethlean news as it emerges.
I’ve edited this post as news has come in.
Updated 12/1/09
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{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
I did see Terry and Jill a couple of Sundays ago at the Hilton in Sydney. I was out for a stroll after dinner at Glass upstairs and they were strolling in as I went out, they looked very happy, arm in arm as though they had some good news!! Could it be true?? Vida x
The Hilton has been re-done and looking quite good these days. I watched Jaime on the screen in my shower as I leathered up… a long held dream I am afraid!!! Next time I am there I hope Gordon has a show when I am ready to bathe…. V x
Vida was that leathered or lathered? Either way it sounds naughty you wicked thing. Nice to hear lots more gossip.
Ed, it was lathered but I am getting old and things are a bit leathery but let’s not talk about that!!! V x
It’s rare that I’m lost for words, but all I can say right now is OMG OMG OMG OMG.
As someone who doesn’t mind flaying Old Media for errors Ed, I’m just wondering where is the correction to this scurrilous piece of rubbish? (or the edit?) Gossip is indeed dangerous.
Why didn’t you bother checking your facts with John? Talk about over-egging the pudding. John deserves a little more respect – he was certainly shown it by others.
You said stay tuned… hasn’t anyone filled you in over the Christmas break?
As someone who doesn’t mind flaying Old Media for errors Ed, I’m just wondering where is the correction to this scurrilous piece of rubbish? (or the edit?) Gossip is indeed dangerous.
Why didn’t you bother checking your facts with John? Talk about over-egging the pudding. John deserves a little more respect – he was certainly shown it by others.
You said stay tuned… hasn’t anyone filled you in over the Christmas break?
Simon, I did check with John and have been in correspondence with him. He filled me in and I have corrected this post a few times – we kniow each other fairly well. I have been traveling and will update again and correct as soon as I can find a decent fast internet connection that allows me into my CMS. I’m in rural India and even leaving a comment is an effort right now…maybe you too should not assume you know all the facts. This post was clearly flagged as gossip and not fact. I shall probably not get a chance to update for a week or so or maybe until I’m back in Australia but shall when I’m back and more of the story has emerged.
Simon, it appears this connection isn’t too bad and just managed to update.
Thanks (or shukriya, given your location). Small but important.
Enjoy the rice, dahl & chapatis.
…or the masala dosai, idli, chatni and sambal. We’re about to drop off the map – at least as Lonely Planet knows it – again for a few days. Cheers.
Terry and Jill were also spotted at Hellenic Republic in their first week of opening…
New reviewer is Larissa Dubecki- was in tuesday’s epicure. Her first review will be Feb 3.
Can’t remember new editor, but she was prev editor of Epicure and recent editor of the Hun’s food section apparently.
Do we know where Lethlean is going to yet?
Jessie/Sticky, LD is also doing the Espresso gossip column. I don’t think there is a change of editor at Epicure but my old editor from Extrafood at The Herald Sun Janne Apelgren is the new editor of The Good Food Guide.
S, News Ltd apparently has announced they are joining The Australian for some unspecified project – perhaps some kind of monthly food magazine or maybe a restaurant guide. I heard a rumour today though that the project could be in doubt. It’s just a rumour and it could be malicious. Hopefully we’ll hear something more in the next week or so. Sally Jackson from The Australian Media section called me up today about it so perhaps they will find out more for Monday when I think her story comes out.
Do any of you bloggers actually KNOW why John has left “The Age”. Having enjoyed his colums for years I am sad to see him go…..but why…..any answers anybody….!
Maureen, yes as of this week I do know. He just started to feel taken for granted at The Age for all the work he did for them. Plus he had a great offer to review nationally for the Weekend Australian Magazine in a new larger regular food supplement. The first one will be out in April. I wouldn’t be surprised if he also wrote for other parts of the paper too.
Well, I’m sure most of us readers did not take him for granted. His articles have always been the highlight of my newspaper reading week, together with Catherine Deveny’s!
I heard that there may be tyres involved.
Really! And more news: Terry Durack to the SMH from The Independent in the UK.
John’s articles were the ONLY reason I bought the paper on Tuesdays and Saturdays. His reviews were down to earth and knowledgable and never bitchy or “nit-picky” like some other food writers. I live in the country and stay in Melbourne once or twice a month. Where I ate was usually influenced by one of John’s articles. Following one of his reviews, I made the whole family change holiday plans and go camping near Yarck just so I could eat at the Yarch Teahouse (fantastic!)
I hope he’s moving on to bigger and better things food related and that we have access to his writing for years to come (and hope if he is reviewing he might like to review my handmade chocolates! – lol)
Jane, I have been told John Lethlean is going to the Australian and his first review will be on April 28th. Let’s wait and see.
Good luck for your chocoloates!
I’ll look forward to seeing/reading John (and Necia?) contributing to The Sydney (Australian). I have always seen it as decidedly Sydneycentric and any gestures toward the rest of the country as merly that; token gestures. I think bringing in John is more than a gesture and perhaps “The Sydney” really wants to become “The Australian”.
PS does anyone else think Larissa is doing a good job? I do.
Neil Prentice