You’ve got opinions. The response to last week’s newsletter about chef Sam Hart’s attempt to intimidate me for condemning sexual assault was overwhelming. I’ve heard from readers who appreciated the reporting, as well as folks in Charlotte’s restaurant community who haven’t felt comfortable speaking up about abuse of authority until now. It seems we’ve cracked open something much bigger, and we intend to keep hammering away at it.
Many of you signed up for a free trial to view that newsletter, and we love to see it. If you’re invested in this story and want to see more of it uncovered, we humbly ask that you become a paid subscriber. Your support will allow ongoing reporting on this and other timely TFS:CLT stories.
Last week’s newsletter came together for several reasons. The most immediate was Hart’s unsolicited message. It came together as quickly as it did thanks to the additional, behind-the-scenes reporting of associate editors Greg Lacour and Kathleen Purvis, and the sharp editing of TFS founder Hanna Raskin.
This is the kind of reporting we care deeply about, but it takes time, teamwork, and resources. We want to keep this effort going. Reader support is what makes it possible for us to file public records requests, gather documents, have off-the-record coffees, and see these stories through to publication. Despite what some might think, there is no behind-the-scenes funding propping up our operation.
Last week was a huge win for our founding subscribers who were promised unbiased reporting on the city’s dining scene. For any of our free followers who would like to join them, TFS still has 16 subsidized annual subscriptions available. For just $20, you can get our TFS:CLT newsletter in your inbox each week, so you’ll be the first to know when we next break news that matters to all of us.
Eat well and behave accordingly.
Taylor
p.s. Our weekly “Top Chef” recap returns next week—but only paying subscribers will receive Kathleen’s take on the latest episode.
Solidarity