Two popular food critics from California who were traveling in Missouri were killed when a large tractor-trailer crashed head-on into their vehicle on Saturday, authorities said.
“Let’s Dine Out” star Alan Bogen and Isabelle “Izzy” Busse, longtime lovers, were driving on Interstate 44 in east Lebanon at approximately 6:45 p.m. when a tractor-trailer traveling in the opposite direction swerved into oncoming traffic.
Borgen, 75, who was driving the minivan, was pronounced dead at the scene. Missouri State Highway Patrol. Busse, 54, died at a local hospital.
KVCR Public Media, the Southern California media outlet where Borgen worked for 32 years, He was confirmed dead on Monday. She will be fondly remembered for her “easy smile and friendly demeanor” as a personality and food critic, he said.
Ms Bogen, a retired social worker, began working as a food critic in the early 1990s, writing columns for local newspapers and appearing on television.
“He was a very personable, very animated presence,” said John Weeks, a former features editor at The Sun. Redlands Dairy Facts.
“He had a great sense of humor and was a passionate writer about food. I discovered many restaurants through his reviews, and so did thousands of his readers.”
Bogen was known for his loud Hawaiian shirts and bold personality, and was so popular in the Inland Empire that he could not remain anonymous in his reviews.
“His style of reviewing was to have a great party, take the temperature in the room, get a lot of input on the food, including from people at the tables around him. It was a democratic approach to reviewing. He was a very personable guy,” Weeks recalled.
Bogen also runs a dining club called the Grub Club, where he met Busse.
The two became close friends over the meal, but their relationship developed into both a romantic and professional one.
Busse co-hosted Borgen’s show, “Let’s Dine Out,” which focused on promoting family-run restaurants.
“She was always really happy and laughing. She was always up for anything,” Janet Rodriguez, Busse’s friend for more than 20 years, told Redlands Daily Facts.
“Alan was just the sweetest guy. He always adored her. He loved to spoil her,” she continued.
“Nobody has anything bad to say about either one.”
It is unclear whether the driver of the large truck faces any charges in the accident.
