William Grimes | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1950-07-25)July 25, 1950 (age 75) Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Indiana University Bloomington; University of Chicago |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist food writer |
William H. "Biff" Grimes (born July 25, 1950) is an American food writer, magazine writer, culture reporter, theater columnist, restaurant critic, book reviewer andobituary writer forThe New York Times.[1] He is the author of four books onfood and drink in the United States, including the recent workAppetite City: A Culinary History of New York.[2]
Grimes was born inHouston, Texas. In 1973, he obtained aBachelor of Arts degree in English fromIndiana University Bloomington, where he graduated with honors. In 1974, he received aMaster of Arts in English from theUniversity of Chicago and in 1982 earned hisPh.D. incomparative literature. He also received a Whiting Fellowship.
In April 1999, Grimes was named restaurant critic atThe New York Times. Prior, he served as a reporter in the style department, where he wrote in the dining section since September 1997. From October 1991 until September 1997 he worked as a reporter on the cultural desk where he reviewed independent film, visual art, and books.
Grimes joinedThe New York Times in May 1989 as a story editor and writer. Before working forThe Times, he was the executive editor forAvenue Magazine from September 1986 to May 1989 while also contributing toThe New York Times Magazine.
He was a copy editor forEsquire magazine from April 1984 to September 1986. He also wrote on cocktails for the magazine.
From April 1980 to April 1984, he was associate editor ofMacmillan Publishing, where he worked to translate theGreat Soviet Encyclopedia into English.
Grimes features prominently in the 2017 documentaryObit, about theNew York Times obituaries desk.[3]
In 1998, Grimes was nominated for aJames Beard Foundation award for his work on a Dining article titled "Is America Ready for Bunny Ragout?" In 1993, he was awarded the Press Club of Long Island award for his reporting for "Who Painted this Picture?"[4]
Grimes is married and he and his wife live inAstoria, Queens.
Bill Keller sent out a 384-word memo this morning announcing that William Grimes will become the new obit writer for the paper.
