Here’s what our own food blogger, Steve Coomes, has to say about the Courier-Journal’s new food critic, introduced to readers in today’s paper. I know, we’re teasing you, but the V.V.’s new food and dining blog is coming soon:

Looks like The Courier-Journal has made a fine hire for its new food editor, Pableaux Johnson. He fills the spot vacated by much-beloved long-timer Sarah Fritschner last fall.

A story in the Jan. 16 paper describes the Louisiana native as a lifelong cook who learned the craft alongside his grandmother. As a journalist, he’s authored a number of food-centered books and spent the last 10 years reviewing New Orleans restaurants.

If you don’t want to read the whole piece—which you should, because it’s good—the last ‘graph tells you most of what you need to know about Johnson and some of what to expect from his writing: He believes in simple, fresh, real and approachable food that’s as enjoyable to prepare as it is to eat.

In his words, “Somewhere along the line, Americans gave up the stove in favor of the microwave and embraced the high-pressure ‘gourmet dinner party’ as a substitute for the everyday joys of supper. There’s a school of cook who believes in fancy menu placards, the joys of ‘presentation’ and that ‘you feast first with your eyes.’ I did not attend classes at that institution.”

I like this guy already.

More Name Dropping After the Jump:

Our Favorite Artist: Ashley Cecil, the city’s own “Painting Activist” was the subject of one of those “What I’m Into” pieces in Velocity recently. We like a lot of what she likes, including Jamie Cullum and Toast on Market. And we like getting her e-mails featuring new artwork. So we’re not even going to take any shots at Velocity.

More Radio Hires: Who says there are no jobs in radio? The Public Radio Partnership hired another new reporter. This one is Gabe Bullard, from St. Louis, who will be covering news events around town and some weekend hosting. In St. Louis, he was an editor for PubDef.net, a cool blog that provided Full Signal with some inspiration when we got started last year. Oh, and the PRP added a couple of folks to help pay the bills. Scott Dowd, who doubles as a DJ on the classical station on Sundays, will be the group’s Development Officer. Amy Miller is the new Foundation Relations Officer.

Holy Map: We’re also mighty impressed with the work of Michael Schnuerle, the founder and CEO of Metro Mapper. The site allows users to create maps that show locations of crime, sex offenders, real estate for sale, restaurants and historic sites. Lots and lots of data. Check it out.

Media Attorneys Gift: If you’ve even been involved in a legal controversy involving media around here, it’s likely you know about Jon Fleischaker. Along with his attorney wife Kim Greene, Fleischaker has made a $250,000 gift to Western Kentucky University. The money will help create the Fleischaker-Greene Fund for Excellence in First Amendment Issues.  That’s cool. I used to have a lot of my Business First stories vetted by Jon, and I’ve faced him on the racquetball court. Neither was what you would call a pleasant experience.