The Telegraph has appointed William Sitwell as its new restaurant critic – and his first review is of a vegan restaurant.
Sitwell, who resigned as editor of Waitrose & Partners Food Magazine in October following comments about “killing vegans”, announced the new position on Twitter this afternoon.
He said that he was “very happy to be joining the Telegraph as a restaurant critic, writer and commentator”, and thanked photographer Dan Burn-Forti for a “cool photo shoot”
Sitwell also revealed in an exchange on Twitter that his first contribution to the publication will be a review of a "plant-based" dining experience, set to be published in this weekend's Telegraph Magazine.
The Telegraph's deputy editor and director of lifestyle, Jane Bruton, said: "I’m delighted to welcome William to The Telegraph and his new weekly column will be an insightful addition to Saturday’s magazine. With a wealth of experience as a food critic, author and broadcaster, he will bring a unique voice to our existing roster of talented journalists and critics."
Last year, Sitwell came under criticism for an email exchange with freelance writer Selene Nelson, in which he discussed “killing vegans, one by one” and “force-feed[ing] them meat”.
Sitwell later apologised “profusely to anyone who has been offended or upset by this” and afterwards made up with Ms Nelson, sharing a photo of them together on Instagram.
Sitwell is perhaps best known to the British public as a regular critic on BBC’s Masterchef. He also hosts Biting Talk on Soho Radio, and the podcast Classical Kitchen.
