Restaurant Critic Mark Kurlyandchik Is Departing ‘Detroit Free Press’ in March

Detroit Free Press restaurant critic Mark Kurlyandchik plans to leave his post on March 15 after five years. Kurlyandchik made the announcement on Facebook Friday afternoon stating that his departure from the paper is voluntary.

“It’s been an honor and privilege to serve as the Freep’s restaurant critic these last 5 years and I’m humbled to have shared space with so many talented colleagues,” he writes in the post. “To those who trusted me with your stories, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and only hope I did them some level of justice. Thanks also to readers and folks who’ve reached out with words of support, or, just as importantly, your own criticisms.”

Kurlyandchik goes on to say that he has one final project in the works before leaving the paper in mid-March and asks readers to continue supporting Detroit restaurants and local journalism.

As for the future, Kurlyandchik plans to focus on his independent filmmaking career. He’s currently working on two feature-length films, including “Coldwater Kitchen” for Detroit Free Press.

Kurlyandchik took over as the restaurant critic for the paper in 2016 for the late Sylvia Rector.

• Mark Kurlyandchik IN as ‘Detroit Free Press’ Dining Editor [ED]