The Maine Sunday Telegram seeks an outstanding, accomplished restaurant critic. Candidates must have experience writing about food, a broad and deep understanding of the subject, an ability to write about food intelligently but in layman’s terms, and a wide-ranging palate. A willingness to give constructive criticism, without pulling punches, is essential.

Portland has become one of America’s top food cities, and we need a restaurant critic of the same caliber. Strong reporting skills are required. You must be able to not only say whether a dish is good but explain why. This is a dream gig for the right person: You will travel around the state, eating at restaurants on the newspaper’s dime and writing about them for the state’s largest news outlet. Your opinion will matter to an entire industry and culture.

But you must be able to do this regularly and meet tight deadlines. You must also be able to work collaboratively with your editor, and you must be intimately familiar with AP style. This is a freelance position, not a staff job. Serious applicants should send a letter, resume and three samples of their best work to humanresources@mainetoday.com.