By Doug Petrowski

Mountlake Terrace Librarian Rosy Brewer stepped away from the quiet halls of the Mountlake Terrace library recently to step into the bright lights of a Seattle TV studio to be a part of the new KCTS restaurant review program “Check Please NW.” Brewer was chosen to serve as one of the three guest restaurant critics for an episode of the show that debuted last month.

“It was a very professional experience. They did my hair and make-up, and the episode was shot on a large sound stage,” Brewer said recently. “Everyone was very nice and welcoming, especially Amy Pennington (the show’s host).”

“Check Please NW” selects local diners, not professional restaurant critics, to review local eating establishments in a roundtable discussion format.
Versions of the show are filmed and broadcast in cities throughout the U.S. Brewer learned about the Seattle adaptation from reading local food blogs.

“I researched the show a bit and decided to apply,” Brewer said. “After a few phone interviews I was chosen.”

Brewer shares the spotlight on the episode she appears in with a University of Washington student and a tech marketing manager as they review the meals and experiences they had at three Seattle restaurants, The Pink Door, Five Spot and How to Cook a Wolf.

Brewer said it was a great experience to be involved in the episode. “They served food and wine prior to the filming and probably shot twice as much as needed for the half hour show. As most ‘stars’ probably say, ‘They cut my best bits!’”

The librarian turned reviewer has received plenty of reaction from being on the show. “I am amazed how many people have happened upon my appearance on ‘Check Please NW’ just from channel surfing,” she said.

The episode is available for viewing on the KCTS 9 website.