It’s a bird, it’s a plane…. It’s Jeanne Muchnick!

Getting to know Lohud’s #1 food reporter

By Claudia Ossa - Founder of Westchester Foodies on Facebook/Instagram

Nobody works harder to put restaurants and food businesses on our radar than Jeanne Muchnick. She is the official food journalist for Westchester, Putnam and Rockland Countiesy and has been for many years, but many don’t know much about her. Jeanne covers local food business openings and closings across three counties. This requires staying in touch with business owners, tracking trends. It’s a mix of journalism, research, and relationship-building—all while keeping up with an ever-changing landscape. I recently had the pleasure of sharing a meal with her at the Granola Bar in Rye. As the founder of Westchester Foodies on Facebook and Instagram, I realize that the group of 23k+ has had a positive influence on food businesses, but we have come to rely on Jeanne to be first on the scene to tell us what businesses are saying their good byes and what is new to get excited about.

Just the other night I was visiting a new hot spot in Larchmont, and when discussing the role of social media with the owner, he said in a lovely Italian accent, “You know who we love? That Jeanne Muchnick. She put a reel up about our place and so many came to visit us!”

HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START IN JOURNALISM?

I studied magazine journalism. I love feature writing and lifestyle reporting, so that has always been my jam. My first job was at Seventeen Magazine. It was a dream come true because in my late teens it was like my Bible. I remember feeling super happy to be in a place that was iconic for me. The editor I interviewed with (and ended up working for) personally knew Si Newhouse and was impressed I went to the S.I. Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse, so I feel like that sealed the deal for me.

After Seventeen, I worked at several places: Good Housekeeping, Travel Agent Magazine, a trade publication for the travel industry and Entrée, a trade publication for upscale housewares buyers (think a Macy’s Cellar buyer). I was also the editor at a start-up publication called BaBY Magazine, geared towards new parents.

WHERE ARE YOU FROM? WHEN DID YOU MOVE TO NEW YORK CITY? WHAT WERE YOUR FAVORITE FOOD HAUNTS?

I am from Baltimore, Maryland, and I studied Journalism at Syracuse University.

I moved to NYC fresh out of college, and I lived on the Upper West Side. I used to love a place called Harriet’s Kitchen for takeout chicken (since closed) and also loved Carmine’s (still there) for its boisterous atmosphere and copious amounts of food that always made it fun with a group. We also loved La Caridad which used to be at 78^th and Broadway.

WHEN DID YOU MOVE TO WESTCHESTER? WHERE AND WHEN DID YOU MEET YOUR HUSBAND?

I moved to Larchmont about 25 years ago. My husband and I both worked for Fairchild Publishing, which owned Entrée where I worked. I was the editor; he was the circulation manager. We worked in different buildings (I was uptown; he was downtown). Frankly, I was in a job that was over my head, so I didn’t pay any attention to him in meetings. It wasn’t until we both left around the same time and ended up at the same bar with other Fairchild employees – a total coincidence – that we really talked – and clicked.

WHERE DID YOU WORK IN WESTCHESTER?

I was freelancing, mostly for womens magazines like Women’s Day and Ladies Home Journal. Women’s Day was my bread and butter. I actually freelanced for Westchester Magazine as well. I was a major contributor to a food column there for three years. This is how I got into food writing, but I love writing about a lot of things… business, travel and women to name a few. 

I was hired by the Journal News 17 years ago. They had a magazine called In Town. That’s really where my foodie lifestyle took off. I got to do a lot of really fun things there.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT HOW THE FOOD SCENE HAS CHANGED IN WESTCHESTER?

It has changed so much for the better. There have always been really good chefs. Since Covid, a lot more Manhattanites have moved here, and the level of sophistication has risen. There are a lot of closings and people sometimes get on me on my Insta because I post about closings, but for every closing there is the hope that something great will take its place.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT FOOD REPORTING?

I love telling people’s stories. Everyone has a story and there are so many great ones: from the dishwasher that becomes an owner, to the chef looking at the bartender from across the room and eventually getting married and opening up a restaurant.

I am pretty competitive. Because I work for a newspaper at its heart, The Journal News/Lohud, I consider myself a news reporter for the food beat. I am all about trying to get exclusives, sneak peaks and first looks. To be the first person on the scene to share food news. People have come to rely on me for new info.

For the most part, my job is fun. I have deadlines and stress, but it is a great beat to have. 

WHAT IS THE HARDEST PART OF YOUR JOB?

Finding out what is opening or closing. It’s like when you are walking along and you see that something has closed, you want to know what is coming. That’s my job - to scout it out and share this info. In fact, when a restaurant asks if I will be back for the grand opening, I explain that what I do is announce restaurants before they open. My main focus is letting people know about new openings. I am lucky to have many reliable sources and contacts like Westchester Foodies and people in the community who are always on the lookout on my behalf. I do get a few leads from social media, but I drive a lot and look for myself. I drive about 200 miles a week. I am always on the lookout for signs that say “coming soon,” and I leave my business card when I do. 

I once advised the members of Westchester Foodies to let Jeanne know when they have any information about an opening or a closing and one member responded “Shouldn’t the journalist know?” My response was, “She is a journalist, not a superhero.” All journalists rely on tips from the public. When you realize the amount of hours, miles and effort that go into doing Jeanne’s job, you understand that she is indeed a type of superhero. And even superheroes rely on tips.

DO PEOPLE EXPECT YOU TO KNOW A LOT ABOUT FOOD?

There is a difference between being a food critic and being a food reporter. I am not a critic. I am a news reporter for the food beat. My stories are roundups of great places to visit in certain categories - they are not a deep dive. When I do a profile of an opening, the news is: This is what is opening. This is the chef. This is the menu. 

However, I do put out the Best Thing I Ate This Week, and that is personal. 

YOU SEEM TO HAVE ACHIEVED A SYMBIOSIS WITH THE INFLUENCER COMMUNITY. HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT THEM WHEN THEY FIRST CAME ON THE SCENE?

I came into social media just for fun, not as a strategist. I was having so much fun with it. Because I was not strategic about social media, I have learned a lot from influencers, but I am a journalist first. My stories come first and social comes second, but it is shifting. I feel the pressure that Instagram should come first. It is an adjustment for me coming from traditional journalism, but you have to change with the times. Influencers are an important part of this fast-changing media world. I’ve learned so much from them and appreciate all they’ve taught me. I have nothing but admiration and respect for them.

DO YOU TAKE YOUR HUSBAND ON ASSIGNMENTS?

I don’t take my husband on stories. Sometimes I go to a photoshoot, and I don’t eat. A chef will often want me to eat the food, but I simply cannot eat at all of the places that I am covering. I don’t have time, and I would be unhealthy. I tell the chef that I will come back as a patron and will return with my husband or a girlfriend. I do like to visit a place shortly after I have covered them because I do get asked a lot what I thought of the food and the experience. My husband is a lucky guy because I am a bit of a picky eater, and he eats everything when we go out.

DO YOU PREFER TO COOK OR DINE OUT?

I dine out for fun a lot, and I tend to take a lot of photos. But other times I am hungry and over it and so is my family. How can you not love going out to restaurants? It is such an experience, and it is so fun. My husband is the cook in our family. When we were first married, I cooked, but he didn’t like what I was making so I let him take over. I can cook, and I can make a couple of things really well, but I am not really interested in cooking. I bring a lot of leftovers home.

DO YOU HAVE A SALTY OR A SWEET TOOTH?

Salty. I love a pretzel more than a piece of chocolate cake, although I do love chocolate covered pretzels.

WHAT IS THE COMFORT FOOD THAT REMINDS YOU OF HOME?

My specialty is my mom’s brisket and her noodle kugel. That’s my happy place. Also Maryland crab cakes because I am from Baltimore. I have my mom’s recipe. My crab cakes are key, and I am a pretty big snob about them.

DID YOUR PARENTS COOK AND WAS FOOD A BIG PART OF YOUR CHILDHOOD?

I am Jewish so, similar to Italians, we feed ourselves with love and to show support. We weren’t adventurous eaters. We didn’t dine out a lot. The interesting thing was that my dad was a food broker so we always had a lot of interesting food and pantry items. He even opened a gourmet food store. It didn’t last long, but he was ahead of his time because it was very gourmet and people weren’t ready for that. The store sold upscale prepared foods and had a great bakery. Food was an important part of our lives because of my father’s livelihood, but in terms of what was served at our table, it was pretty simple fare like spaghetti and meatballs and chicken parm. And of course bagels and lox.

HOW DID YOUR JOB AFFECT YOUR KIDS? DID THEY FOLLOW IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS?

When I worked for In Town, If I was writing a story about a bakery, I would bring home boxes of cupcakes. We would invite the neighborhood kids over, and they loved that. My kids got to go with me to special places. I remember taking my then twelve year old daughter to Morton's. Her eyes would widen as they kept bringing out more food and desserts. 

Now, quite honestly, they are just sick of me taking photos, and they want to eat. 

My older daughter is in PR for a major streaming provider. My other daughter is fundraising for a national non-profit. 

WHO IS THE KINDEST FOOD BUSINESS OWNER YOU HAVE EVER DEALT WITH?

I really don’t know how to answer this  because, for the most part, everyone has been super kind to me and so appreciative of the press I give to their business.

WHAT ARE THE TOP THREE PLACES YOU HAVE VISITED?

I don’t have a top three as there are so many great places I’ve been to/still want to go to. I always love New Orleans – best food/best people. I was also in Istanbul recently and had the best time exploring their spice markets. I also thoroughly enjoyed their coffee and tea culture and am now seeing a lot of Turkish coffee being served in Westchester and the City. I’m also a huge fan of NYC – nothing beats it for diversity, fun, culture. And I love Philly, where my daughter lives – it’s a great, affordable, walkable city that also happens to have great food (beyond cheesesteaks). See? I told you I can’t do just three. PS: On Thursdays I try to do a “Travel Thursday” Insta post highlighting some of my fave spots, so stay tuned.

IF YOU HAD TO LIVE ANYWHERE OUTSIDE OF WESTCHESTER, WHERE WOULD YOU LIVE?

In my dreams, London, Paris or Italy but in reality, probably NYC or Philly. Though the older I get, the more I can’t stand cold weather and crave a warm weather destination.

CAN YOU SHARE YOUR TRIED AND TRUE SPOTS IN WESTCHESTER, PUTNAM AND ROCKLAND COUNTY?

Again, too long a list. There are so many great ones, and I’m always trying to discover someplace new. But among my faves are: Augustine’s Salumeria in Mamaroneck, Boro 6 in Hastings, Bedford Tavern in Bedford and L’inzio in Ardsley (a lot are in my recent Lohud story on 11 Restaurants I wish made the USA Today’s “Best Restaurants of the Year” list). Also, Harvest on Hudson in Hastings, DPNB Pasta & Provisions in Nyack, Trata on the River in Piermont, Stanz Café in Larchmont, Craft Taqueria in New City, Roost in Sparkill, Maria and Pizzeria La Rosa in New Rochelle, La Casa Bronxville in Bronxville, Mariachi Mexico in Armonk, Pappous Greek Kitchen in Yorktown Heights, Trattoria Vivolo in Harrison and The Rail Trail Café in Blauvelt.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY FOR THE PUBLIC TO GET A HOLD OF YOU?

It is easy. An email JRMuchnick@gannett.com, or a DM on Instagram. All of my stories have a link to contact me. Emails are ideal as it is easier to keep track of conversations. Sign up for the Lohud-Food newsletter here.

Proofread by Jade Ramos - jbgoodman91@gmail.com

Shortly after I met with Jeanne, she called me and mentioned that Lohud wanted to feature a story about me and Westchester Foodies. I will be eternally grateful to Lohud and Jeanne for putting together such an incredible article. For many years it has been a challenge to explain Westchester Foodies to people outside of the community and now I don't have to. Thank you Jeanne.

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