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News Thu Feb 26 2009
RIP James Ward
James Ward, former food critic for WLS-TV and the Sun-Times, passed away today after a long illness. From his Channel 7 bio:
Ward was restaurant critic and food columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, from 1978-1984. Prior to this, he was restaurant critic for the Chicago Daily News.
From 1969 to 1974, Ward served as editorial director for R.R. Donnelley & Sons in Chicago where he was responsible for producing travel and food magazines.
He began his career as a restaurant critic as editor and assistant publisher of Restaurants and Institutions, a food service industry trade magazine from 1960-1969.
Ward, a Chicago native, graduated from Loyola University, and holds a Master's degree in political history from the University of Chicago. He and his wife reside on the city's north side.
Ward was memorable for his often flamboyant delivery and purple prose, employed here in this review of Lindy's Chili (from early 2000s, judging from the website at the end) -- and his trademark red-rimmed glasses.
— Andrew Huff / Comments (2)
kiplog / February 27, 2009 2:49 PM
I had the pleasure of working with James on a magazine years ago, and even wound up eating dinner with him in footage of a St. Patty's Day report (he recruited me off a barstool when he walked into a pub and recognized me).
His Bread & Circuses reports were fun fare, but I relished the times I got to talk food with him, when I could get some of his more serious knowledge of food and dining around.
He was always articulately professional, while at the same time being a truly unique character, and a whole lot of fun.