food editors,  food history,  food journalism,  food section,  ruth gray,  women's history month,  women's page history

Women’s History Month: Ruth Gray

Day 30 of Women’s History Month features food editor Ruth Gray.

Ruth Gray became the food editor in 1963 of the St. Petersburg Times and began reviewing restaurants in 1974. One restaurant that earned a negative review named their crab sandwich in her honor. She earned a bachelor’s degree in home economics from Kansas State University.

She married and raised a daughter. When she was investigating a restaurant, Gray wore hats and scarves and ducked inside the ladies room to take notes and remain inconspicuous. The disguises were needed because some restaurants posted her photo on the wall in the kitchen—a common practice because restaurant owners looked to identify critics.

Gray is featured in my upcoming book, The Food Section.

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