L.A. Observed drops a whopping rumor today that Jonathan Gold was spotted pressing the flesh over in the L.A. Times building this week, then spilling more speculation by pointing to loose talk around town that has the Pulitzer Prize-winning critic possibly jumping ship back to the paper following his Gold Standard event early next month. Hiring back a critic of Gold’s stature would fly in the face of opposing rumors that whispered-about cuts at The Times could soon afflict the Food Section, and counter any evidence found in S. Irene Virbila’s recent reduction to a bi-weekly review. Stay tuned for the truth to be revealed, as Gold Standard is just another two weeks away. [LA Observed]