Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema on his career and what's next

For 26 years now, Tom Sietsema has been a faceless name that struck a chord throughout the entirety of the D.C. area’s food and beverage industry. While most didn’t know what the food critic for The Washington Post looked like, they certainly knew what he craved and critiqued. And whether his words were positive or not, they resonated within the region.

But this Tuesday, Sietsema announced that he is dropping his anonymity and stepping down . While he said in his announcement that he is not retiring — “I’ve got plans to cook more, travel more and stay connected with fellow food enthusiasts” — the future still remains unclear.

Several chefs and restaurateurs spoke to WTOP about how Sietsema’s reviews impacted them a

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