NYTimes Names New Critic

[LilianNY]

just saw this on AP

The New York Times has named one of its own editors to be the new chief restaurant critic.

Culture Editor Sam Sifton will replace Frank Bruni, who announced earlier this year that he was leaving the high-profile post.

Executive Editor Bill Keller said in an e-mail to staff Wednesday that Sifton will move into the critic's chair in October.

Keller said the paper had a list of impressive candidates, but decided to throw out the list and draft Sifton for the job.

Sifton has written occasional essays on food for the New York Times magazine. Keller called him "a writer of discernment and wit and erudition."

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

APTV 08-05-09 1257EDT