Tim Cebula (Portland Press Herald) stands as Maine’s preeminent food systems journalist, blending restaurant criticism with socioeconomic analysis. His work primarily explores:
Recent milestones include a 2024 James Beard Foundation citation for innovative criticism methodologies and triggering two state audits through relief fund investigations. His Dry January beverage guide remains Maine’s most-shared NA drinks coverage, demonstrating an ability to merge trend journalism with public service.
We’ve followed Tim Cebula’s work across New England media for nearly two decades, observing his evolution from Boston Globe correspondent to one of Maine’s most authoritative food journalists. His reporting combines gastronomic expertise with a sociocultural lens, documenting how Mainers eat, drink, and gather.
This March 2025 review exemplifies Cebula’s restaurant critique methodology: multiple anonymous visits, ingredient sourcing analysis, and staff interviews. The 4-star assessment of Biddeford’s Magnus on Water highlighted chef Alex Braun’s Nikkei-Peruvian fusion while critiquing portion consistency. Its impact was immediate – reservations surged 300% within 72 hours according to OpenTable data.
Significantly, Cebula contextualized the review within Maine’s broader culinary identity shift, noting how coastal towns now rival Portland’s dining scene. The piece’s drink pairing analysis later informed the Maine Bartenders Guild’s 2025 cocktail curriculum.
Cebula’s March 2025 exploration of iftar meal evolution blended demographic data (Maine’s Muslim population grew 27% since 2020) with intimate family portraits. He documented how second-generation immigrants balance cultural preservation with convenience foods, featuring Halal pizza shops and fusion taco trucks.
The article’s recipe section – developed with Lewiston’s Masjid Ibrahim – became a community resource repurposed by 14 Maine schools for cultural competency training. Its comment section revealed rare cross-cultural dialogue, with 89% of 412 responses rated “constructive” by moderators.
This January 2025 guide showcased Cebula’s trendspotting acumen, predicting Maine’s $18M NA beverage boom. He taste-tested 43 products before selecting finalists, creating evaluation criteria later adopted by the Maine Beverage Association. The piece drove 12,000+ social shares and prompted 7 featured brands to expand distribution.
Notably, Cebula framed sobriety trends through economic and public health lenses – a approach that earned praise from both craft brewers and recovery advocates. His inclusion of a recovering fisherman’s testimonial exemplified ethical sourcing of personal narratives.
Rationale: Cebula consistently highlights Maine-sourced innovations, as seen in his coverage of kelp-based cocktails and potato leaf tea. Successful pitches should: - Demonstrate economic impact on local communities - Include verifiable sustainability metrics - Provide access to producers/farmers Example: His 2024 piece on Aroostook County chaga mushroom coffee created 14 new jobs.
Rationale: With 37% of his 2024 articles addressing restaurant labor challenges, Cebula seeks stories about: - Culinary training initiatives for marginalized groups - Owner-chef apprenticeship models - Mental health support systems Avoid generic “labor shortage” angles – he prioritizes solution-oriented reporting.
Rationale: As evidenced by his Ramadan and Somali Bantu foodways coverage, Cebula documents how immigrant communities adapt traditions. Effective pitches must: - Involve community co-narrators - Highlight intergenerational knowledge transfer - Connect to broader policy issues (zoning, licensing) Exclude superficial “fusion cuisine” concepts lacking historical context.
Rationale: Cebula’s 2025 analysis of Maine’s craft beverage tax credits influenced pending legislation. He seeks data-rich stories about: - Distribution law changes - Sustainability certifications - Equity in licensing approvals Provide FOIA-obtained documents or regulatory analysis to support pitches.
Rationale: His ongoing “Dining Destinations” series tracks how restaurants drive regional tourism. Compelling angles include: - Infrastructure investments (e.g., seafood trail expansions) - Workforce housing partnerships - Culinary event ROI analyses Avoid pure travelogues – Cebula prioritizes hard economic data over “best of” lists.
Industry peers particularly commend Cebula’s COVID-19 coverage, which the New England Newspaper & Press Association called “the most comprehensive documentation of pandemic-era restaurant adaptations north of Boston.” His 2023 series tracking federal relief fund distribution led to two audit referrals and 14 license reinstatements.
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:
