Lyndsay C. Green

On Saturday, June 5, I received the James Beard Award for Emerging Voice in journalism. If my speech wasn’t muddled with nerves and emotions, it would’ve gone a little something like this: “Last year, I wrote a story about not feeling seen—not just among Detroit’s dining scene, but throughout the span of my professional career. Today, it’s an incredible feeling to be seen by this gargantuan of an institution. Thank you to the James Beard Foundation [ @beardfoundation ] for seeing me all the way in Detroit. This award is not only exciting for me, but the recognition evidences the Foundation’s commitment to celebrating local journalism on a national stage. Thank you to my husband, Marcus [ @coachmdgreen ], for seeing me for who I am since the first moment you laid eyes on me. To my friends and family who see me and know my heart. Thank you to the Detroit Free Press and my editor for seeing me, investing in my voice and offering me the space to share my perspective of Detroit’s dining scene so honestly. And, most importantly, thank You, God. I started my career as a beauty editor and never felt like I was in the right space. Over the past three years, I’ve done a lot of praying to sync my steps with Your calling. It’s been an incredible year, seeing the manifestation of my time spent in harmony with You. So, thank you, Lord for seeing me as special enough to answer my prayers in this new chapter navigating food writing, restaurant criticism and, on a personal level, finding ways to champion farming and food sovereignty. Your affirmations are all the motivation I need to do this work in pursuit of Your glory. Lastly, thank You for bringing me to Detroit, a city I love deeply and a place that helped me find my footing. Ma, I'm a James Beard Award-winner!”

I shared this in my stories a few weeks ago when I first got the news, but it deserves a spot on the grid! So grateful that my essay “Accidentally Anonymous” for the @detroitfreepress will be included in this year’s “Best American Food Writing” anthology among some of my favorite food writers of all time. My stack of editions dating back to 2018 sits on my desk as a source of inspiration. Seeing my byline on the pages when the book releases October 17 will be such a surreal moment for me. Thank you to @markbittman for seeing value in my piece, @silviakillings for your hand in the series as editor over the years, and @marinerbooks for recognizing excellence in writing across genres for decades. I’m so honored. Thank you also to @sourcebooksellers , my go-to bookstore for picking up my “Best American Food Writing” copies—I’ll see you in the fall for this one! Pre-order your copy now! I’ll add the link in my bio shortly.

48 hours ago, my name flashed across the screen among three finalists in the Criticism category for The 2023 Pulitzer Prizes. Yes, it’s taken 48 hours for this writer to find the words to respond to this news because—how do you find the words for THIS? Seeing my name was a gut-punch, and the opportunities that have presented themselves in the past 48 hours continue to take my breath away. Life-long career dreams are manifesting in a matter of moments, and I am STUNNED. But more than career dreams, these are God-Dreams. Over the past year, I’ve prayed intently for small wins. I negotiated with God, praying that even a glimmer of victory would confirm that I’m on the right path. That writing is my gift and that immersing myself in the food scene—from growing my own food and advocating for food sovereignty, to reporting on local culinarians—is my Divine Assignment. What’s followed have been awards that I didn’t win, and fellowships that didn’t pan out. But this one? The one I counted myself out for entirely because it was too big, too esteemed, too unlikely? Though I didn’t take home the Prize, the biggest reward is in knowing that God is, in fact, listening and that I am, in fact, on the right path. My confirmation was bigger than my wildest dreams. I can’t help but to be shocked by an accolade where my name stands beside such brilliant journalists at a host of esteemed publications. But something tells me, as long as I keep in harmony with His voice, God will continuously surprise me with the countless dreams realized to come. Thank you to the @pulitzerprizes jury for seeing value in my work, to the @detroitfreepress for giving me free reign to share my honest perspective of metro Detroit’s dining scene—its wins and its blindspots—to the culinary artists who make metro Detroit’s dining scene as rich as it is, to my husband, @coachmdgreen , for being my live-in editor, and to everyone who sent their love in the wake of this news. I’m so grateful. And CONGRATULATIONS to fellow finalist @jasonfarago and WINNER #AndreaLongChu! It’s an honor to be in such wonderful company. Wow. Ma, I’m a 2023 Pulitzer Prize finalist.

Last week, my girl @adriamoses and I had the cutest girl dinner and a movie for the #DevilWearsPrada2 premiere. There was popcorn and prosecco, @minkdetroit oysters and sake (pictured), @bonbonbonchocolate , lobster rolls and lots of laughs. And I loved every minute.

A requirement of my job is to visit a restaurant at least three times before filing an official review. I was so eager to return to @roses_detroit multiple times over the past couple of weeks, anticipating what beautiful bowl of produce would great me at the door, or what platter of griddled, buttered veggies would make my shoulders shimmy next. Rose’s is a reminder of what a great American diner can be when it stars fresh, seasonal food and warm service. What a comeback. Link in bio for the full review.

While I was in California, I was invited to Ojai for #FarmCamp, an opportunity to learn more about @drinktractor and Haymaker, its new line of tonics inspired by switchel. An offer for a chance to tour a regenerative farm and explore the ways reconnecting with the soil can be nourishing to the soul was an easy “yes,” for me—no questions asked. (Driving up those remote dirt roads in the dark that first night, I thought: I probably should’ve asked more questions LOL.) But the experience was a reminder that a little bit of mystery and defiance of the status quo can lead you to some very special places. I loved learning about haymaker—an 18th-century punch made with apple cider vinegar, ginger and molasses—but the highlight of the Farm Camp experience was meeting folks who shared their heart, as well as some big ideas for ways to reconnect with the land. As a critic whose days are centered on restaurants and dishes served, I appreciated the time spent honoring the farmer and the very start of our food system. Thank you, @drinktractor for the invitation and the warm welcome!

I’m always down to travel for @thechefassembly . This time, the conference—which rounds up some of the best chefs, beverage pros, restaurateurs and food writers in the biz—took me across the country to talk food and criticism in LA. I loved everything about the trip, from being in conversation with THE @tejalxrao to hearing from icons like @dominiquecrenn to making new friends in hospitality to sampling dishes from some of the city’s top restaurants. And I deeply appreciated feeling the sun on my skin at the tail end of October. Thank you, @thechefassembly for the experience!

Best bites of a quick trip to Puerto Rico. First stop whenever we land in #sanjuanpuertorico is @chamosarepa for arepas with a Puerto Rican twist. I like mine stuffed to the brim with shredded beef, maduros, and shrimp the color of marigolds and overflowing with shredded Venezuelan cheese. Slide 2: We went back to @santaellapr for one of my favorite dishes of all time: pastelón, somewhat of a lasagna of ground beef, maduros, and cheese.

Half the year down and what a ride it’s been! January-June photo dump: JAN- Birthday month ♒️ FEB- Got back to work after maternity leave and jumped right into the @detroitfreepress @chevydetroit Restaurant of the Year package (👋🏾 @vecinodetroit ) MARCH- Welcomed @pulitzerprizes On the Road to Detroit APRIL- Got back to Philly for the annual @thechefconference , accepted an award for Working in the Spirit of Diversity @waynestatejim & was named the Midwest USA Academy Chair for the inaugural North America’s 50 Best Restaurants list MAY- Celebrated my first Mother’s Day JUNE- Won a James Beard Award for a story that is very special to me & had my family close by as we dedicated baby boy @detroitchurch Feeling very, very blessed 🙏🏾 📸: @ultraclay

L. Rey 👑. The king of our castle. Still gobbling up our little turkey who made his debut Thanksgiving day. 🦃 Grateful to God for this beautiful blessing. We’ve only just begun this journey and He’s already reminding us He’s with us every step of the way.

This year, I’m staying on a path of intention. That’s why I brought in the year slamming oysters @kieslingdetroit , the place that’ll be our neighborhood bar once my dream house finishes construction later this year. It’s why I kicked off New Year’s Day @hotbonesdetroit , prioritizing my health at my new neighborhood fitness studio. It’s why I’ve been filling the spaces in my day that would otherwise be spent consuming what gives little but takes so much of my time with creative projects like building my own flower bouquet or learning to cook over a wood-burning fire. It’s why my birthday gift to myself was a cake I made from scratch and a solo pottery class in NYC, where I made my first flower pot—the first of many I will make for my new home and garden. It’s why I (mostly) fasted from social media for a bit. And it’s why I treated myself to a long weekend in Tribeca, where I got to celebrate the dynamic @jamilarobinson in the @bonappetitmag test kitchen, eat my way through as many @beardfoundation semifinalists as I could, and forge new relationships with people only God could put in my path. Eager to see what this second month of the year brings. 🙏🏾 ✨