Pulitzer Prize-winning food writer Jonathan Gold, subject of documentary 'City of Gold,' dies at 57

Laura Gabbert directed 2016 film about LA native who preferred street food and neighborhood joints to tony restaurants: 'I can't imagine the city without him'

An image from the documentary "City of Gold," about food critic Jonathan Gold. Laura Gabbert directed the 2015 film. Photo from Sundance Selects

Jonathan Gold, the only food critic to have won the Pulitzer Prize, died Saturday at age 57, according to the Los Angeles Times where he had been employed since 2012. The cause was pancreatic cancer, the Times reported, noting that Gold was diagnosed with the disease less than three weeks ago.

The LA native, who took an ecumenical approach to the city's cuisine -- favoring taco stands and pupserias over posh Beverly Hills establishments -- was the subject of the 2016 documentary City of Gold, directed by Laura Gabbert. It documented his attempts to remain incognito while writing reviews -- originally for the LA Weekly before he joined the Times -- and how his culinary explorations served to elucidate the city's identity. 

He really got that food was a gateway into the people, and that food could really define a community.

--Author and former LA Times food editor Ruth Reichl on Jonathan Gold

"I can’t imagine the city without him. It just feels wrong. I feel like we won’t have our guide, we won't have our soul,” Gabbert told the Times. “It’s such a loss. I can’t wrap my head around it.”

Those feelings were echoed on Twitter. Actor Ike Barinholtz wrote, "Loved Jonathan Gold’s writing and spirit. Watch his documentary City of Gold, most uncynical movie about LA. RIP."

Elijah Wood and BJ Novak were among the other actors expressing their shock. Novak tweeted, "When I first moved to Los Angeles, Jonathan Gold's book 'Counter Intelligence' is what taught me to see it as a city of neighborhoods and people. If you are interested to learn why he meant so much to people, the documentary "City of Gold" beautifully captures his spirit."

Phil Rosenthal, creator of the television series Everybody Loves Raymond, tweeted, "Our greatest food writer, and a personal hero, friend and inspiration, has passed way too soon."

Our greatest food writer, and a personal hero, friend and inspiration, has passed way too soon. He always highlighted the good. He made Los Angeles and the world better. Rest In Peace Jonathan. ♥️ https://t.co/b2UTSOe82z

— Phil Rosenthal (@PhilRosenthal) July 22, 2018

This makes me really sad. Loved Jonathan Gold’s writing and spirit. Watch his documentary City of Gold, most uncynical movie about LA. RIP https://t.co/6zXXkPfq6s

— Ike Barinholtz (@ikebarinholtz) July 22, 2018

So sad and shocked to hear about the passing of Jonathan Gold. He shaped the multicultural identity of Los Angeles through his articulate passion for food and gave its residents a reason to explore outside of their own neighborhood. Can’t imagine the city without him.

— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) July 22, 2018

When I first moved to Los Angeles, Jonathan Gold's book "Counter Intelligence" is what taught me to see it as a city of neighborhoods and people. If you are interested to learn why he meant so much to people, the documentary "City of Gold" beautifully captures his spirit.

— B.J. Novak (@bjnovak) July 22, 2018

City of Gold made more than $600,000 during its theatrical release, according to Box Office Mojo. Gabbert's film is available for viewing on YouTube. The DVD is listed as "temporarily out of stock" on Amazon.

Watch the trailer here: