This week we publish a farewell column from our retiring food and wine columnist, William Rice. To honor Bill, I turn to James Warren, the Tribune’s deputy managing editor/features, who has known him well for most of the 17 years he has been with the Tribune:
“His placid demeanor belies how Bill Rice has become a respected presence in food journalism and in the food world. He was The Washington Post’s first restaurant critic, later becoming editor of Food & Wine magazine before the Tribune lured him to Chicago.
“Bill has proven a savvy and entertaining supporter of both change and high standards, mixing a sophistication with a populist bent. As Brenda Butler, the editor who has shepherded his Magazine efforts, well knows, we bid goodbye to the man who has opened alluring windows not just onto worlds of pizza and burgers and big steaks, but to uncommon enticements such as almond and polenta cake, langoustines and mache. He introduced us to grand personalities and places. He made us much less nervous about dealing with fancy, even pretentious, menus. He told us about a $200 Bordeaux but also the best chenin blancs in the $7 to $10 range. He made us feel like we were at the circus, not in some snooty etiquette class. I’m just glad I’ve still got his cell phone number.”
Bill, you will be sorely missed, not only by your colleagues here, but by your thousands of loyal readers.
Speaking of accomplished men, don’t miss Susan Chandler’s story about Lawrence Pucci, who has spent decades dressing Chicago’s elite businessmen and now is fighting to preserve some of the city’s historic monuments.
“I hope I have half his energy when I’m his age,” Susan says. “There aren’t very many people who will take his place, people who will fight for a little-known cause, not caring whether they get any credit.”