As the Ottawa Citizen's restaurant critic since 2012, Peter Hum has redefined regional food journalism through his unique blend of:
We've followed Peter Hum's evolution from general assignment reporter to Canada's most insightful regional food writer. His career at the Ottawa Citizen since 1990 shows remarkable range:
Hum's April 2025 pizza survey exemplifies his approach to culinary journalism. Rather than generic reviews, he constructs a 2,500-word socio-economic tapestry:
"The regulars 'don't come for just the food. They come for the company,' says Rema. 'We take care of our customers.' Louis is like a baby to us. We love it so much."
Through profiles of four pizzerias spanning 65 years, Hum traces Ottawa's immigration patterns from post-war Italian arrivals to Lebanese entrepreneurs. His tasting notes serve dual purposes - evaluating nduja-spiked toppings while explaining how House of Pizza's Gabriel Khater adapted Middle Eastern flatbread techniques to Canadian palates.
This political analysis demonstrates Hum's knack for localizing national trends. Five days before the 2025 Canadian federal election, he dissects redistricting impacts through:
What elevates this beyond typical horse-race coverage is Hum's food metaphor lens: "Boundary changes have sliced Kanata like a well-portioned charcuterie board - some neighborhoods now paired with unexpected ideological bedfellows."
Hum's 2025 personal essay for Postmedia outlets represents his most ambitious work yet. Over 4,200 words, he:
"Stepping through the abandoned brick building’s doorway, we needed to watch our footing as we tiptoed through an obstacle course of overgrown plants, broken beams and debris."
This piece won the 2025 Landsberg Award for its innovative blend of memoir, investigative journalism, and cultural preservation advocacy.
Hum prioritizes stories connecting Ottawa's culinary present to its socioeconomic past. Successful pitches might explore:
Why it works: His March 2025 profile of Le Coprin mushroom farm showed how mycologists partner with chefs to reduce food miles.
Seek stories where meals become historical documents. Recent examples include:
Why it works: Hum's analysis of Chinese-Canadian "fake chicken" vegetarian dishes traced the practice to 1920s exclusion-era ingredient scarcity.
Hum excels at linking policy decisions to restaurant menus. Strong angles:
Why it works: His 2024 series on alcohol licensing changes demonstrated how regulatory shifts birthed Ottawa's craft cocktail renaissance.
Honored for his Chinese-Canadian genealogy series, this award from the Canadian Journalism Foundation recognizes work advancing equity through historical investigation. Hum's use of newly declassified immigration records set a precedent for diaspora storytelling.
His investigative piece "From Woks to Walk-ins: The Hidden History of Ottawa's Chinatown Kitchens" made Hum the first restaurant critic nominated in the Local Reporting category since 1998.
The municipal government recognized Hum's digital archive project preserving oral histories from retiring immigrant restaurateurs, ensuring their contributions to Ottawa's cultural fabric aren't lost.
Hum: I auditioned to be a Gusto TV food show host. It didn't go well.
The suburban Ottawa riding of Kanata has seen a major overhaul in its boundaries, will it stay Liberal in this election?
Finding my village: How I retraced my ancestors’ journey from Ottawa to China and back
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Food, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
