James Beard Award-winning journalist Kevin Pang has been hired as the new “The Food Guy” for NBC 5 Chicago (WMAQ-TV).
Pang’s segments will begin airing Thursday, January 29 on NBC 5 News at 10 p.m. and across NBC 5 Chicago’s digital and social channels.
It marks a return to local food journalism for Pang, who spent 11 years at the Chicago Tribune as a restaurant writer, food critic, and documentary filmmaker. He penned the popular where-to-eat column The Cheap Eater, and in 2015 co-directed For Grace, the acclaimed restaurant documentary that premiered at South by Southwest Film Festival and was acquired by Netflix.
“Chicago’s culinary scene has always been as vibrant as the city itself, and we couldn’t be happier to welcome Kevin to our team to share his fun and insightful experiences with our viewers,” said Sally Ramirez, Senior Vice President of News, NBC 5 Chicago / Telemundo Chicago. “His unique perspective and spirited storytelling will give our audience an engaging, behind‑the‑scenes look at the flavors shaping our city today.”
“I’m enormously grateful to NBC 5 Chicago for keeping the flame of food journalism alive in our great town,” added Pang. “Telling our viewers where to find great places to eat is the least we can do. There’s no better feeling than sharing stories about people who use food as their love language — from mom ‘n’ pop businesses to Michelin-starred chefs, cooking in Pilsen taquerias and Plainfield barbecue joints to Westmont noodle shops and all points between. Food stories are Chicago stories.”
Pang is the executive producer and co-host of the Emmy-nominated late night food show Poochie & Pang: Eat Chicago. In addition, Pang is a contributing writer for The New York Times, where he project-leads “The 25 Best Restaurants in Chicago” list. He and his father Jeffrey co-wrote A Very Chinese Cookbook, which reached No. 1 overall on Amazon’s bestselling books chart.
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