February 28, 2019
Longtime food editor Kathleen Purvis leaves the Observer
Here’s why her voice is so important for this city
Kathleen Purvis, longtime food editor of the Charlotte Observer. Photo by Tonya Russ Price
It’s a tough day in food media. Longtime Charlotte Observer food editor Kathleen Purvis is taking an early retirement from her position today, marking the end of an era for the city’s most influential voice in the culinary scene. She’ll continue writing as a freelancer, and is planning to write more books. Her most recent book, Distilling the South: A Southern Guide to Craft Liquors and the People Who Make Them, was published in May.
Purvis is one of several longtime staffers who are taking a buyout at Charlotte’s daily newspaper. She has covered the city as it grew from a steakhouse town to a showcase of Southern ingredients, helping shift the narrative of the city away from being seen as only a shiny, banking town. Her presence in national food organizations, such as the James Beard Foundation and Association of Food Journalists, ensured Charlotte’s voice was part of the conversation.
Her knowledge of Southern traditions led her to help readers navigate a changing city. As transplants moved here, sometimes unaware of the local culinary history, Purvis published stories that helped bridge the knowledge gap and explain the often complex relationships underneath North Carolina cuisine. Here are a few of her recent stories that stand out to us as examples of how Purvis used food to connect us.
Why does sugar in cornbread divide races in the South?
In this award-winning piece, Purvis explains how one Southern staple grew to mean different things to those of different races.
Greeks built Charlotte’s restaurant world. So where’s all the Greek food?
The local culinary scene started with Greek families, but few of them opened Greek restaurants. Here, Purvis explains why.
What’s pimento cheese, and why does the South love it so much?
You see it on menus everywhere. Purvis explores the history behind this dish, and what makes it so good.
Purvis’ departure also marks an end to our battle for scoops. Have a favorite story that sticks out in your memory? Leave it in the comments below. Thank you, Kathleen, for all that you’ve done for this city. —Kristen Wile
