The Daily Meal Acquires Always Hungry, Hires Jeff Zalaznick

The Daily Meal, former Forbes.com CEO Jim Spanfeller's upcoming food website, announced today the acquisition of the New York City-based Always Hungry, the food blog/restaurant search engine known for its high-quality videos. Always Hungry was nominated for a James Beard Award in 2010 in the Video Webcast category.

The Daily Meal will merge AW's existing content into the site, and founder and Editor-in-Chief Jeff Zalaznick has been tapped to be the National Restaurant Editor. The editorial team will also be moving over. Reached by phone, Zalaznick told us, "Our hope is to continue to do all the same stuff we've been doing, but on a larger, national scale." Zalaznick will be working with editorial director Colman Andrews. They're shooting for an October 15th launch. Here's the full press release:

The Daily Meal Taps Restaurant Expert Jeff Zalaznick and Acquires Always Hungry

New York, NY (September 22, 2010)—The Daily Meal, the first premium content site from Spanfeller Media Group (SMG) covering all the food that’s fit to eat, has enlisted Always Hungry (www.AlwaysHungryNY.com) founder and editor-in-chief Jeff Zalaznick to serve as the National Restaurant Editor.

Concurrently, The Daily Meal has also obtained Always Hungry, and will incorporate its existing content and editorial team into the site. A James Beard Award nominated food and restaurant website which has evolved into a popular and reliable source for New Yorkers, Always Hungry features a unique custom search engine, daily articles, cutting-edge video and beautiful food photography.

“With Jeff’s extraordinary knowledge of the food and restaurant world, he will be the perfect fit for The Daily Meal,” said Jim Spanfeller, President & CEO, SMG. “In the past year, Always Hungry has set the standard for great restaurant coverage in New York City, and we are delighted to welcome Jeff, his team and their great work to The Daily Meal.”

”The Daily Meal is the real deal and I am very excited to join the team. I also could not think of a better home for Always Hungry,” said Zalaznick. “Our readers can expect the same high quality content they have become accustomed to, but on a larger, more national scale. At The Daily Meal, we will continue to celebrate the Always Hungry lifestyle, and ensure that our readers never eat an insignificant meal.”

In addition to Always Hungry, Zalaznick is the founder of DinePrivate.com, a web-based guide and online booking system for private dining and social/corporate events at New York’s top restaurants. Zalaznick entered the culinary and online world following a run in investment banking during which he worked at J.P. Morgan. He also consults on a variety of projects in the hospitality industry.

Zalaznick joins editorial director Colman Andrews, best known for his association with Saveur and author of nine cookbooks, along with a team of food writers and contributors at The Daily Meal.

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