Eater Wins Silver Medal From the Society of American Travel Writers

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, September 11th 2025 at 17:12 GMT by Eater

Eater Earns Silver Medal from the Society of American Travel Writers for Heartland Coverage

The culinary world just got a little bit more prestigious, as Eater, the online food publication known for its incisive restaurant reviews and insider industry scoops, has been awarded a Silver Medal in the “Travel Writing – Food & Drink” category at the 2023 Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) Awards. The honor—awarded at the SATW’s annual awards banquet in San Francisco—recognizes the publication’s outstanding coverage of the American Midwest, a region long overlooked by mainstream travel media.

A Quick Primer on the SATW Awards

The Society of American Travel Writers is a professional organization that has been celebrating excellence in travel journalism since 1979. Each year, it hosts a highly competitive awards program that spans more than 30 categories, ranging from feature writing and photo essays to online content and social media. The awards are judged by a panel of industry experts and peers, and the “Travel Writing – Food & Drink” category is especially coveted, as it showcases stories that combine culinary passion with deep travel insight.

Eater’s Silver Medal is the second-highest honor in that category, following the Gold Medal earned by Travel + Leisure for its “Best Food Writing” feature on Italian cuisine. The Silver Medal indicates a strong consensus among judges that the winner’s work not only tells a compelling story but also pushes the boundaries of travel food journalism.

The Heartland Story

The award was given for Eater’s extensive series of feature stories that chronicle the food culture of the Midwest’s heartland. Rather than focusing on one city, the coverage spans from the grain‑filled plains of Kansas to the bustling food scene in Omaha, from the burgeoning craft‑brewery boom in Indianapolis to the authentic farm‑to‑table practices in St. Paul. Each piece—whether it’s a profile of a family‑owned corn‑meal bakery in Iowa or a deep‑dive into the resurgence of Midwestern BBQ—offers a nuanced look at how local history, agriculture, and migration patterns shape the region’s palate.

The award notes that the series includes:

• “Corn, Cattle, and Craft” – a profile of a Kansas‑based ranch that supplies produce for a chain of Chicago restaurants.
• “Midwest Meat: The Rise of Grass‑Fed Dining” – an investigative look into how grass‑fed beef has become a hot commodity in the area’s new‑wave steakhouses.
• “Beyond the BBQ” – a feature on a Minnesota–based chef who blends indigenous flavors with contemporary techniques in his downtown restaurant.
• “The Grain‑Based Kitchen” – a profile of a Minneapolis bakery that uses heirloom grains to create artisanal breads.

Together, these stories earned the publication a “total score” of 87 out of 100 on the SATW judging rubric, which evaluates originality, writing quality, relevance, and contribution to the travel industry.

What the Judges Had to Say

A representative from the SATW judging panel, travel writer Sarah Martinez, praised Eater’s ability to “capture the soul of the Midwest in a way that is both accessible and deeply researched.” Martinez added that the stories “go beyond surface-level tourist attractions and dig into the cultural roots that shape each dish.”

The award announcement highlighted the fact that Eater’s coverage has had a measurable impact on tourism in the region. After the publication ran its flagship piece on “The Rise of Midwest Food Trucks,” the city of Wichita reported a 12% increase in food‑truck‑centric tour bookings in the following quarter. Moreover, a local university used the stories in a new curriculum on culinary geography, underscoring the educational value of the work.

The Impact on Eater’s Brand

Eater’s editorial director, Lara Jones, said in a brief interview: “We’re thrilled to receive this recognition from such a respected organization. It reaffirms our commitment to telling the stories of America’s food communities—no matter how remote or under‑represented. The Midwest is a goldmine of culinary tradition, and we’re proud to have shone a light on its hidden gems.”

The award has also amplified Eater’s social media presence. Since the release of the series, the publication’s Instagram feed has seen a 15% uptick in engagement, particularly among the 25‑to‑34 demographic that is most interested in food travel. Twitter discussions surrounding the award have also led to collaborations with Midwest‑based culinary influencers, further cementing the publication’s influence in the food‑travel niche.

A Look at Other Awardees

In the same category, Travel + Leisure took the Gold Medal for a feature on “The Hidden Tastes of Tuscany,” while The New York Times earned a Bronze for its coverage of “Culinary Journeys in Oaxaca.” The presence of Eater in the mix signals a shift toward more specialized, data‑driven food travel writing that focuses on authentic local experiences rather than generic tourist itineraries.

The 2023 SATW awards also saw notable wins in other categories. National Geographic earned the Gold Medal in “Feature Writing” for its documentary on the impact of climate change on Pacific Island cuisine. Vice took Silver in “Photo Essay” for its striking images of the nomadic lifestyle of Afghan refugees. Meanwhile, The Guardian clinched Bronze in “Digital Content” for its interactive map of UK street food markets.

What’s Next for Eater?

The award is expected to open new doors for Eater, particularly in partnership opportunities with regional tourism boards and culinary festivals. The publication’s editorial team hinted at a forthcoming series on “Culinary Trails of the Great Plains,” which will combine interactive maps with first‑hand narratives from chefs, farmers, and food historians.

The silver medal also underscores Eater’s growing emphasis on data journalism. A behind‑the‑scenes note from the SATW website highlighted that Eater’s Midwest series used a proprietary data set that tracked restaurant openings, supply chain flows, and consumer sentiment—an approach that is becoming increasingly valuable in an industry that demands transparency and measurable impact.

Final Thoughts

Eater’s recognition by the Society of American Travel Writers is more than a feather in its cap—it signals a broader shift toward acknowledging and celebrating the rich, diverse food cultures that exist beyond the usual culinary hotspots. By spotlighting the Midwest’s heartland, Eater has reminded the world that great food travels where the people live, work, and sustain themselves. And for readers, the award offers a fresh invitation: explore the cornfields of Kansas, savor the smoky flavors of Iowa’s BBQ, or enjoy a slice of artisanal bread baked with heirloom grains in Minneapolis. The next time you plan a trip, perhaps look beyond the usual guidebooks, and let Eater’s award‑winning coverage steer you toward a truly authentic culinary adventure.