Last month, Grand Forks food critic Marilyn Hagerty shot straight into the national spotlight after her review of an Olive Gardens went insanely viral. Hagerty went on a charming NYC food tour soon after, tasting our hot dogs and fancy restaurants before returning to Grand Forks to meditate with her hammer. And now, thanks to noted Olive Garden hater Anthony Bourdain, we'll be able to buy a book filled with Hagerty's no-nonsense reviews at our local Urban Outfitters in the near future.
During a conference call with journalists, Bourdain confirmed the book is happening. Eater reports that he explained his involvement in the project thusly:
She's been writing a food column in Grand Forks for 30 years. As we saw a little bit of her during her blow up on the internet and how she handled herself, what we have is a sincere, genuine reportage of food that people don't really see or talk about. I see her life's work as a history of American dining. What's happened to them? Are they still around after 25 years?
The reviews I read were really refreshing and heartfelt. I think she made us all on the coasts look small and bad, and I admire her for that. And I think there's a book there. I know there's a book there. And I'm honored to be publishing her.
So sure, the world is getting a Marilyn Hagerty book of reviews. It's nice that she'll get to put her whole crazy "viral" experience into some perspective (she's already written several pieces on it recently). But seriously: what the heck was up with that whole meditating-with-a-hammer-named-Margo thing about? We sincerely hope she explains that one in the book (or at least lets Margo write the introduction).
