Arizona Republic dining critic Dominic Armato announces resignation

Dominic Armato, the dining critic for the Arizona Republic and AZCentral.com, has tendered his resignation after five years with the media company.

‘‘There’s no one reason,’’ he writes on social media. ‘‘It’s more a heavy collection of evolving circumstances and needs, professional and personal. But the executive summary is that the tank is empty and it’s time for a change, both to make the best use of my energy and to carve out some time to take better care of my family and myself.’’

Armato, who succeeded retiring dining critic Howard Seftel in May 2015, says he will wrap up several pieces for the newspaper over the next three weeks.

‘‘I have no idea what’s next, but hey, I’ll be around,’’ he writes. “I’m going to sprint through the tape, take a couple of months to do as little as possible, and then I’ll kick around some ideas and jump all over the one that sings to me.’’

Prior to joining the Republic, Armato wrote a pair of well-respected local food blogs – Skillet Doux and The Killer Dish. He also created the PHX Food Nerds message boards.