Authorities claimed that two well-known California food reviewers who were visiting Missouri on Saturday were killed when a semi-truck struck their vehicle head-on.
At approximately 6:45 p.m., the tractor-trailer traveling in the opposite direction drove into oncoming traffic on Interstate 44 east of Lebanon, posing as longstanding romantic partners Allan Borgen and Isabel “Izzy” Busse from the television series “Let’s Dine Out.”
The MoSHP reports that 75-year-old Borgen, who was operating their minivan, was pronounced deceased on the spot. Busse, 54, passed away in a nearby hospital.
Borgen worked for KVCR Public Media in Southern California for 32 years. The media source acknowledged his passing on Monday and said that the culinary critic and personality would be remembered for his “easy smile and friendly demeanor.”
Retired social worker Borgen started her career as a food critic in the early 1990s, contributing pieces to neighborhood newspapers and making television appearances.
Borgen’s raucous Hawaiian shirts and outspoken nature were well-known, to the point where he was unable to conduct his reviews in secret due to his immense popularity in the Inland Empire.
Additionally, Borgen ran a dinner club known as the “Grub Club,” where he first got to know Busse.
After connecting over food, the two became friends, but their friendship quickly developed into much more than just a love partnership.
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During his “Let’s Dine Out” program, which promoted mom-and-pop stores, Busse co-hosted with Borgen.
Busse’s friend of over two decades, Jeanette Rodriguez stated that “She always had a really fun laugh; she was always up for anything.”
“Allan was just a sweet man, he always adored her. He liked to spoil her,” she further added.
“There’s nobody who can say anything bad about either one of them, at all.” It’s unclear if the semi-truck driver will be prosecuted for the collision.
