Local Food Writer Walter Nicholls Dies at 64

Walter Nicholls, a local food writer for more than 20 years, has died of complications from cancer. He was 64.

Nicholls most recently worked as a critic and food writer for Arlington Magazine. In the past few years, his work appeared everywhere from The Georgetowner to BizBash. His death came after a brief battle with cancer.

"Walter was a friend and an invaluable member of our team from day one," Arlington Magazine editor Jenny Sullivan told Eater in an email. "He wrote the restaurant review for our very first issue in 2011 and continued to serve as our restaurant critic and food columnist until just last week. He had a wonderful curiosity about food and the culinary traditions of other cultures, and he was a very clever writer. Our hearts are heavy."

Nicholls was an editor and food writer for The Washington Post for many years (he was one of the high-profile names to leave the paper after a buyout in 2008). He was also a company representative for Cook Flavoring Company, known for their vanilla beans.

The Post's obituary remembers Nicholls as a writer, former caterer and an expert in international food. Funeral services for Nicholls are still pending, but will likely be held in both D.C. and in Rappahannock County, where he had a farm.
· Walter Nicholls [Official Site]
· Arlington Magazine [Official Site]
· Former Washington Post Food Editor Walter Nicholls Dies [WaPo]

[Photo: WalterNicholls.com]