The Minnesota Star Tribune is an innovative modern media organization building on an extraordinary 158-year legacy. With seven Pulitzer Prizes and numerous other accolades, we stand as a beacon of journalistic excellence in Minnesota. Together, we are the heart and voice of the north.  

Our mission is to build a better Minnesota by connecting us with the people, ideas, and stories that strengthen our communities. We’re seeking dynamic leaders who are passionate about journalism and democracy to help shape this future. If you are excited about reinventing one of our state’s most trusted institutions and leading us into a new era of growth and excellence, we want to hear from you. 

Job Summary -

The Star Tribune is seeking an experienced, adventurous, fair-minded critic to evaluate our dynamic and evolving local restaurant scene and help our audience make choices about where to spend their time and money. We believe, however, that the role of a good critic goes beyond the practical. At its best, criticism coaxes better results out of chefs and restaurants, which has a ripple effect – better and broader dining experiences make for better cities/suburbs/small towns and ultimately better living for everyone. That’s why we want to hire someone who will respect the Twin Cities area, venturing to suburbs and greater Minnesota alike. We have top-notch talent in Minnesota, with a plethora of restaurants worthy of review.

This job isn’t only about evaluating restaurants; it also involves reporting. Often the critic hears news first and we expect our critic to report and quickly write scoops, working with a digital-first mentality. We also expect that while out eating, our critic will recognize shifts in what’s being served, how restaurants are changing, when staffing levels are low, etc., so that we can report out these observations for trend stories.

The critic won’t be working alone. Our team consists of a dedicated editor, assistant editor/reporter and food reporters, plus a small stable of freelancers covering home cooking, wine and beer. It’s a big job, supported by a collegial team.

Duties of this job include:

· Knowledge of restaurants and how they work, as well as the parameters for proper food preparation and serving. A discerning, educated palate is a must.

· Willingness to work as part of a team, dividing breaking news stories, working rapidly to post them online, reverse-publishing to print. No divas, please.

· Constantly looking across the restaurant landscape to identify new restaurants worthy of quick takes upon opening and fuller reviews as they mature.

· Must follow our ethics guidelines. Reviews are written without favoritism and without influence from the restaurants; our critic does not take free meals and does not attend free tastings/events.

· Understanding that food and where we eat represents and reflects who we are as a society and keeping that lens in mind as we strive to diversify our content to include communities of color, recent immigrants and food fusions.

· Ability to prioritize stories, triaging when news breaks, and being agile enough to always be thinking and working on short-, medium- and long-range stories.

· Ability to post quickly to the web and eagerness to embrace emerging digital story forms that help engage new readers.

· A willingness to brainstorm ideas and freely share beat knowledge with the team (and readers). Ability to communicate clearly and frequently with the food editor and team members is a must.

· Ability to plan ahead and meet deadlines is critical to success in this position.

To apply, submit a resume, clips of recent reviews and a cover letter explaining how you would manage the restaurant critic role and why you are the best person for the job. Questions? Contact Sue Campbell, Food & Culture Editor, at sue.campbell@startribune.com.

Salary/Wage Range

Annual pay for this A-scale position is $60,252.40 – $84,268.08 per year, as stated in the contract of the Minnesota Newspaper and Communications Guild.

Compensation for the role will depend on several factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and experience and may fall outside of the range shown. The Minnesota Star Tribune offers a competitive total rewards package, which includes a 401(K) match, healthcare coverage – medical, dental, and vision, life, disability, paid time off, and a broad range of other benefits. Learn more at benefits.startribunecompany.com.

More about The Minnesota Star Tribune

At The Minnesota Star Tribune, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset, and we are committed to their happiness, growth, and well-being. Here’s a snapshot of the exceptional benefits we offer:

Modern Downtown Office: Enjoy a state-of-the-art workspace with a free fitness center, collaborative center, golf simulator, and a rooftop patio. Comprehensive Benefits: Includes commuting subsidy, medical, dental, and vision insurance. Wellness & Work-Life Balance: Participate in our wellness program with financial incentives, generous paid time off, flexible holidays, one volunteer day, and two wellness days. Financial & Family Support: Benefit from a 401(k) with company match, paid parental and caregiving leave, hybrid work arrangements, and tuition reimbursement. Additional Perks: Access to an employee assistance program, pet insurance, flexible spending accounts, and health savings accounts.

Honored in 2023 with Diversity MBA's inaugural Top 25 Outstanding Leadership and Diversity Impact Awards, we are proud of our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Even if you don't meet every single requirement for this role, we encourage you to apply. At The Minnesota Star Tribune, we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.