We're probably going to have to chalk this up to longtime Chronicle columnist Leah Garchik's lack of awareness, but in her latest column she happens to be hyping the same rich-people-experience site, IfOnly that came under some scrutiny this week in a newly published piece in another publication, regarding her fellow Chronicle scribe Michael Bauer.
In a piece that felt long overdue to restaurant industry insiders, San Francisco magazine food editor Rebecca Flint Marx argued that Chronicle restaurant critic Michael Bauer's longtime partner, Michael Murphy, presented several problems for the Chronicle's restaurant coverage and the very health of the local food scene.
Not only must restaurants and chefs kowtow to Bauer and his tastes, Marx's sources explained, but they're also compelled to cater to Murphy, with whom they might even feel pressure to interact professionally. That's because in addition to being Bauer's most frequent dining companion on review meals, Murphy now works as a consultant for IfOnly, a website based in San Francisco that offers expensive, once-in-a-lifetime experiences with notable people — from a $12,0000 "quarterback camp" with Joe Montana to culinary offerings from star San Francisco chefs including Mourad Lahlou (Mourad, Aziza) and Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinsky (State Bird Provisions, The Progress). Those restaurant industry connections are fostered by Murphy, whose connections come from his relationship with Bauer, and a meal with Bauer himself was once offered on IfOnly for $2,000.
All this is to say that, since we were talking about this food-world bombshell just days ago, it's somewhat jarring to see Garchik, in her role as chronicler of curiosities, calling attention to IfOnly's $25,000 opportunity to meet Pope Francis though maybe she can be forgiven for spotting the noteworthy trip in a marketing email, also received by SFist, and not reading SFist or San Francisco Magazine.
To wit:
IfOnly.com, which sells deluxe travel and adventure opportunities, celebrity encounters, fine culinary options with famous chefs, and all manner of dreamed-about experiences, with a portion of the proceeds going to nonprofits, is offering a “once-in-a-lifetime meeting with Pope Francis plus a gala and a six-day trip to the Mediterranean,” $25,000 for two people. Best Buddies, which helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has been designated as a recipient of some of the money by Killerspin, the pingpong equipment company offering the package through San Francisco-based IfOnly.
It's likely Garchik was unaware of IfOnly and its indirect relationship to her colleague. However, it would be pretty weird if Chronicle editors were equally unaware, or hadn't seen San Francisco magazine's pointed criticism. So what's the point of Garchik stepping in this, or anyone letting her? Is she just doing a favor for Trevor Traina, founder of IfOnly, or was she just hard up for a lead item this week and was innocently scanning email? We'll give her the benefit of the doubt there, and congratulate IfOnly on all this free publicity.
Previously: SF Mag Raises New Questions About Chronicle Food Critic Michael Bauer's Boyfriend
