NBC Chicago replaces Dolinsky with a new ‘Food Guy’

NBC Chicago has hired a new “Food Guy.”

James Beard Award-winning journalist Kevin Pang is joining WMAQ as a multi-platform on-air reporter.

Pang’s segments, focusing on the latest local cuisine trends, hot spots and stories of the cooks behind them, will begin airing Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, on NBC 5 News at 10 p.m. and across NBC 5 Chicago’s digital and social channels.

The hire marks a return to local food journalism for Pang, who spent 11 years at the Chicago Tribune as a restaurant writer, food critic, and documentary filmmaker. He penned the popular where-to-eat column “The Cheap Eater,” and in 2015 co-directed “For Grace,” the acclaimed restaurant documentary that premiered at South by Southwest Film Festival and was acquired by Netflix.

“Chicago’s culinary scene has always been as vibrant as the city itself, and we couldn’t be happier to welcome Kevin to our team to share his fun and insightful experiences with our viewers,” said Sally Ramirez, senior vice president for news at WMAQ and WSNS, in a statement. “His unique perspective and spirited storytelling will give our audience an engaging, behind‑the‑scenes look at the flavors shaping our city today.”

“I’m enormously grateful to NBC 5 Chicago for keeping the flame of food journalism alive in our great town,” added Pang. “Telling our viewers where to find great places to eat is the least we can do. There’s no better feeling than sharing stories about people who use food as their love language — from mom ‘n’ pop businesses to Michelin-starred chefs, cooking in Pilsen taquerias and Plainfield barbecue joints to Westmont noodle shops and all points between. Food stories are Chicago stories.”

Pang effectively replaces Steve Dolinsky, who spent almost 30 years covering the Chicago food scene, including at ABC-owned WLS as the “Hungry Hound” before moving to WMAQ in 2021.

Dolinsky is joining Levy Restaurants and will still be able to use the “Food Guy” moniker, which WMAQ also retains the rights to. At Levy, he will tasked with building connections with key figures throughout the restaurant industry to bring new menu items to local venues where the company manages the food service. 

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Pang is the executive producer and co-host of the Emmy-nominated late night food show “Poochie & Pang: Eat Chicago.”

In addition, Pang is a contributing writer for The New York Times, where he project-leads “The 25 Best Restaurants in Chicago” list. He and his father Jeffrey co-wrote A Very Chinese Cookbook, which reached No. 1 overall on Amazon’s bestselling books chart.

Pang has a degree in journalism from the University of Southern California and earned his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.