By Joseph Steele
It’s not easy to put nearly a decade of leadership, loyalty and legacy into words. Then again, if there’s one person who’s shown us time and time again how to make words matter, it’s been you.
After almost ten years at the helm of The Australian Good Food Guide and fifty years of journalism stitched into your story, today as you launch into your retirement, we find ourselves grappling with the most bittersweet of farewells.
You arrived with the kind of grit and experience that is earned, not gifted – cut from the cloth of newsrooms that smelled of ink and adrenaline. You began your journey in sports journalism, where competition was fierce, deadlines tighter and only the sharpest of pens survived. But survive you did. You thrived. You led. Somewhere along the way, you traded the stadium for the revered dining rooms of fine dining, the scoreboard for the plate. We couldn’t be more grateful.
At AGFG, you didn’t just craft articles – you shaped a voice. Gave structure to the chaos and clarity to the cluttered noise of digital food media. You saw stories where others saw menus, gave Chefs, Sommeliers, restaurateurs and readers alike something they could trust. A publication with integrity, heart and a distinctly Australian flavour.
When the industry held its breath in 2020, you were a lighthouse in the storm. COVID-19 threw curveballs faster than any newsroom ever could handle; you didn’t flinch. You led with steadiness, reassured those around you and kept the engine running. You helped AGFG not just survive that season, but come out stronger, more unified and more relevant than ever.
For the younger writers – the wide-eyed and the up-and-comers, you have been a steadfast mentor. A reminder that journalism is as much about purpose as it is about polish. For your peers, you were an anchor. For the readers? You have been the invisible hand guiding every story and recommendation with every perfectly balanced comma.
Retirement may mean signing off from the Editor’s desk, but your impact is indelible. It’s etched into every article we write, every restaurant we review and every reader who trusts AGFG to lead them to their next unforgettable meal.
So, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Thank you for your sharp eye, steady guidance and your tireless commitment to both the company and our readers. Thank you for keeping the coffee flowing, the snack bar full and the constant learning that we have all benefitted from.
There will always be a seat at this table.
With deep respect and immense gratitude.
The AGFG Team.
