Tasting Table Newsletter Names Editor

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Jun 10, 2009 4:00PM

The Pilot Group, the force behind the Thrillist and Daily Candy newsletters, has named former Starchefs features editor Heather Sperling as editor of its Chicago newsletter, which is set to launch on July 6. Sperling's bylines have appeared in Plate and Michigan Avenue magazines, and The Atlantic Food Channel. New Yorker readers familiar with the in-depth piece on Grant Achatz and his battle with Stage IV tongue cancer may also recognize Sperling as Achatz's girlfriend. (Achatz also has a blog on the Atlantic Food Channel). As to any conflict of interest, CEO Geoff Bartakovics told us via email, "...our EIC, Nick (Fauchald), has a specific understanding with Heather: she will neither promote Grant's restaurants or work, nor ignore his existence (ignoring a top chef would be as disingenuous as shilling for him). Of course, Grant does not need Tasting Table to promote his already incredible career. Since Tasting Table is really about selection -- not blanket coverage -- I don't foresee any problems."