Have you heard the one about a horse reporter who walks into a bar? Meet Janet Patton.
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Behind the Byline
This series introduces the journalists whose work appears in the Lexington Herald-Leader. You’ll learn we’re more than reporters, photographers and editors. We’re also your neighbors and are proud to serve Kentucky readers.
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Who’s hungry for restaurant news? I know I always am. I’m Janet Patton, and I write about restaurants, food trends and, of course, all things bourbon-related.
I’ve been in Lexington and at the Herald-Leader since 1992 and have covered a lot of different things, including the equine industry and gambling, farming and the tobacco settlement. I also for years reported on the annual Kentucky Three-Day Event, known to local fans for many years as “the Rolex” for its then-sponsor.
Over the years and after winning several national awards covering the horse industry, I went in a different direction.
For about the last decade, since longtime food writer Sharon Thompson retired, I have been writing about food, local restaurants and Kentucky bourbon. And it’s the best job at the newspaper. I get to talk about restaurants, eat great food and sample amazing whiskey.
I don’t write about cooking as much as Sharon did because, frankly, I’m a simple cook. I lean heavy into fresh vegetables from the farmers market in the summer and always say I’m going to freeze and can more stuff every year but rarely do.
My kids are not adventurous eaters, so I don’t eat out as much as I’d like but I’ve probably been in most locally owned spots around town at least once. Many were featured on our LexGo Eat video series.
Food coverage in print and online has changed significantly: It used to be recipes, reviews and a weekly tidbit column. Now readers turn to us for restaurant openings and closings, and lists of everything from steakhouse to patio dining.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREThree things about Janet you might not know
▪ I love food trends but there’s one I just can’t get behind: Charcuterie boards. Just can’t get behind the messiness and the possibility of other people touching my food.
▪ I’m happiest in a garden or with my nose in a book. Sometimes I combine the two, reading on a hammock in my back yard.
▪ Last year I became a “band mom” when my son joined the Dunbar band and now I spend many weekends on the sidelines cheering and handing out snacks.
When the COVID pandemic started in 2020, I knew restaurants and bars would be hit hard. Working with my editor, Brian Simms, we focused our food coverage on a list of places offering carryout dinners and drinks to go to help connect hungry customers to desperate local businesses.
Our lively Food and Dining news group on Facebook took off during that time, and we now have almost 30,000 members, all local and all talking about the latest restaurant scoop.
And our LexGo Eat newsletter has all the restaurant openings and closings and where to find great stuff to eat and drink in the Bluegrass every Thursday.
I believe in the power of local print journalism to shine a spotlight on what’s good and what’s bad in a way no one else can. Sometimes that involves digging into things and listening to sources.
A lot of the time for me it involves fun.
I spend a lot of my time talking to restaurant owners and chefs, bartenders and bourbon makers, asking what’s new and looking for the next big story. I love to hear about a new place opening and hate to hear about a closing, especially when I know the hopes and dreams behind the business.
Got a tip or want to just chew the fat? I love to hear from readers, email me at jpatton1@herald-leader.com.
This story was originally published February 7, 2024 at 6:00 AM.
