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Chronicle’s Brandon Watson is leaving his position as the alternative weekly’s food editor and critic. He will become the food editor of lifestyle website CultureMap, overseeing its Austin and San Antonio coverage.
Watson took over as the food editor from longtime staffer Virginia Wood in 2014. Wood remained on the staff until she retired in in 2016.
Taking over Watson’s former position at Chronicle is Jessi Cape, the publication’s office manager. She has written for various sections of the paper for quite some time, since 2010, including reviews of the northern Ramen Tatsu-ya and Winflo Osteria, as well as features on Barton Springs Mill, Austin Food and Wine Festival recap, and oysters.
While Watson isn’t able to talk about any changes he plans on making at CultureMap, he did share the following statement with Eater:
"It's difficult leaving any job, but especially a job at an institution. I am very fortunate that I had the chance to work with some of the most original voices in Austin media, and some of the best people in Austin period. The Chronicle is still putting out vital work weekly. Being a small part of that has been one of the best experiences of my life.
“But I am stoked to be joining CultureMap, a dynamic site that I have always frequently read. There, I will take on some new challenges — playing a part in the annual Tastemaker Awards and adjusting to the quicker pace of online reporting. But I will thankfully still be covering the Austin food scene, a community that hasn't lost one bit of its luster over the years. I am also over the moon to add San Antonio coverage to my beat. The energy and talent in that city is astounding."
Watson’s last day at the Chronicle is on Friday, September 15, and he begins at CultureMap on Monday, September 18. His last restaurant review was of Callie Speer’s diner Holy Roller.
