MEET THE NEW CRITIC: Kate Jonuska has a lot on her plate

I am heart-crossed, pinky-sworn, humbly and deeply honored to have been chosen as the new Gazette restaurant critic, an anonymous secret eater representing everybody who has a mouth in the Pikes Peak region. My name is Kate Jonuska, and I’m a Colorado Springs native, born at Memorial. I’m a freelance writer, photographer, radio reporter and “tech enthusiast” (though I won’t flinch if you use the word geek.)

I’m also deeply immersed in food — personally and professionally. I’m a food blogger,  co-founder of
localdish.net, and I’ve been an activist in the locavore community. For the last decade, I’ve explored, eaten and cooked food of all complexities, genres and flavors. It’s often assumed that being a foodie means being a food snob, but I beg to differ. Far from being picky, real foodies eat everything. Fresh, organic tomato caprese will stop me in my tracks, but I also listen to the siren song of the deep-fryer. I salivate equally over tofu pad Thai, chilies rellenos and medium-rare steak paired with creamed spinach.

Traditionally, being a critic is an act of ego, of valuing your own judgment and taste above that of others. Well, I hate to subvert such standard expectations — OK, maybe I enjoy subversion a little — but The Gazette is well aware that a new age of food has dawned.

No longer is there a vast chasm between the culinary elite and the white-bread masses. American tastes have widened and deepened, and the average diner has a better palate and more varied diet than ever before. Many of us also have smartphones or other devices with which we look up restaurant menus and ratings as well as share food photos and personal reviews.

All foodies are now critics; hit send and you’re a published critic.

In light of these changes, The Gazette’s restaurant coverage will change as well. I recognize that, while I am the one with the new job title, I alone am not a culinary judge and jury. I am, instead, a convener of conversation. While I might spark a discussion, the real fuel for the fire is you — every person who dines in the Pikes Peak region.

Therefore, expect to see a lot more of yourself in our pages. You, the foodie community, my fellow tribe members. Starting next week, we are planning to explore and share the ideas and opinions of readers in print, online at ColoradoSprings.com and on social media.

This is a very exciting time in food journalism, and I’m excited to be a part of it. It’s a great, big, delicious city out there, folks, and with elbows on the table, fork at the ready, I plan on taking it all on, bite by bite.

And also, byte by byte. In addition to tuning in to next week’s GO! section, you can also friend me on Facebook at facebook.com/coloradospringseats and on Twitter at twitter.com/cospringseats.

LOOK FOR MY FIRST REVIEW, a roundup of the new burgers in town, in a few hours on ColoradoSprings.com and in this Friday's GO! section.