BRIANA L. WHITE
New Pittsburgh Courier food critic Briana L. White isn’t afraid to tell it like it is. Since 2017, White has visited locally Black-owned restaurants and reported on the food’s pizazz—or sometimes, lack thereof.
Now White, owner of Breelicious Bites, is a judge on the new six-episode television series, “Plate it, Pittsburgh!” Local chefs compete in a cooking competition right in front of White, and when it’s time for the food to be served, White serves up her opinions.
“I’m honest, hungry and hilarious,” White told the Courier.
White, who was raised on Pittsburgh’s South Side, graduated from Greater Works Academy in 2001 and Carlow University in 2006 with a degree in international business.
But becoming a full-time “Foodpreneur” is White’s true calling, she said.
“I’ve been a food writer for over seven years and have had the opportunity to judge food competitions all over the city. I also held my own food competitions (Sweet Potato Pie Cookoff, Mac ‘n’ Cheese Cookoff, Wing and Mac Cookoff) for a few years,” White told the Courier. “Being in the food industry is a passion of mine…In September 2021 I had the opportunity to write in my first international publication (eater.com) and highlight 38 Pittsburgh-area restaurants. I was able to highlight many Black- and brown-owned restaurants that usually get overlooked on those types of lists…Being on the show is a dream come true and just another stepping stone.”
“Plate It, Pittsburgh!” can be viewed by downloading the “Very Local” app on smart televisions only—it is not available via smartphone. The first episode premiered on March 3, with new episodes to premiere each week thereafter. The episodes can be re-watched “on demand.”
The “Very Local” app is a product of Hearst Television, which owns a plethora of television stations, including Pittsburgh’s WTAE-TV (4). It’s Hearst’s way of bringing more localized programming to “streaming-first” audiences who often skew younger. “Very Local” has shows being produced in numerous cities in addition to Pittsburgh. Once on the “Very Local” app for Pittsburgh, one would also find a show entitled “Ed and Day in the ‘Burgh,” featuring Pittsburgh comedians Ed Bailey and Day Bracey, who are African American.