Gael Greene's Death Has The Food World Shaken

After decades of publishing insightful writing and leading steadfast service projects, The New York Times reports that legendary restaurant critic Gael Greene has died of cancer. And the culinary icon's death has sent shockwaves through the food world.

Although Greene told Restaurant Girl that she originally wanted to become an artist, it didn't take her long to realize that writing was her passion. But Greene wasn't just passionate about the written word, it was her life's calling and her natural talent. As Eater reports, Greene, who began working for New York Magazine when it was still in its infancy, wrote food columns filled with dynamic phrasing and clever quips. Her reviews' content spurred the likes of Ben & Jerry's to better their culinary craft and her daring writing style flawlessly translated to the five novels she successfully published throughout her career. An endearing figure with countless accomplishments, Greene is best summed up by the words she used to describe herself on Twitter, "sassy reports that tickle, the mouth that bites."

But now that the beloved food critic, who helped James Beard co-found Citymeals on Wheels, is gone, culinary professionals are reflecting on the astounding impact she left on the food industry.