James Beard was a culinary giant who championed American cuisine. He wasn’t just a chef, but a teacher, author, and TV personality. Beard’s influence spanned from opening the first cooking school in New York City to gracing the screens of the first-ever televised cooking show. A passionate advocate for fresh, local ingredients, he paved the way for American food to take center stage.
James Beard, born in Portland, Oregon in 1903, was surrounded by food influences early on. His mother Elizabeth Beard, a British woman with a strong independent spirit. Elizabeth ran a boarding house called the Gladstone Hotel, exposing James to a world of food from a young age. Their family vacations on the Oregon coast added another layer to his culinary experiences, with fresh seafood, wild berries, and local game becoming familiar ingredients.
While his father worked at the customs house, it was Elizabeth’s passion for food and her role running the boarding house that likely had the biggest influence on James. This, along with summers spent gathering fresh ingredients and cooking by the Pacific, helped shape James Beard into the Great chef of America.
James Beard identified as gay. He knew from a young age. Though never flamboyant, he was comfortable with his sexuality in a time when it wasn’t widely accepted. He was even expelled from Reed College for same-sex relationships. Notably, he had a long-term partner named Gino Cofacci and considered him his “lifetime companion.”
James Beard struggle in culinary world.
James Beard, while a legend today, didn’t necessarily have a smooth path in the culinary world. It’s important to note that there isn’t much documented about specific struggles Beard faced. However, the context of the culinary world in his era suggests these potential challenges. In his time, American cuisine wasn’t as celebrated as French or other European styles. Beard’s focus on regional American ingredients and dishes may have been seen as unconventional.
His use of television to promote cooking in the 1940s was groundbreaking, but it might have been a new and unproven concept at the time. On the other hand, Beard’s influence overcame these obstacles. He is credited with promoting American cuisine, being a mentor to future chefs, writing cookbooks.
Signature dish of James Beard
James Beard, never actually owned any cafes or restaurants himself. The James Beard Foundation also doesn’t actually have signature dishes itself. However, James Beard’s name has become synonymous with culinary excellence in the United States. James Beard wasn’t known for having one signature dish. He embraced regional ingredients and cooking techniques.
However, some of his recipes have become quite popular over time.
Mac and Cheese
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This classic comfort food recipe features a generous amount of cheddar cheese (3 cups!), and is a favorite for its simplicity and deliciousness.
- 1/2 pound macaroni
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk, room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- Kosher salt
- Dash of Tabasco
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Preheat oven to 350ºF.
In a large heavy pot, cook the macaroni in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain in a colander and run under cool water to prevent carryover cooking; set aside.
Return the same pot to medium heat, Melt 3 tablespoons butter and whisk in the flour. Cook until the flour is lightly golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Slowly pour in milk and continuously whisk while it thickens. Add dry mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, Tabasco, and simmer 4 to 5 minutes. Fold in cheese with a rubber spatula. Turn off heat and gently fold in macaroni.
In a small bowl combine bread crumbs, melted butter, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
Transfer the pasta–cheese mixture to a large 12-inch skillet or 2 1/2-quart baking and smooth over the top. Cover the top with an even layer of buttered bread crumbs. Bake until bubbling and the top is golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes and serve warm.
Zucchini Bread
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This moist bread, studded with walnuts, is a versatile treat that can be enjoyed for breakfast, dessert, or a snack. This recipe for zucchini bread was adapted from ‘Beard on Bread’ by James Beard. He published this zucchini bread recipe in his 1973 book, Beard on Bread. Peeling the zucchini gives the bread a softer texture, allowing the shredded zucchini to almost disappear into the crumb, but if you’d prefer to skip the extra step, feel free.
Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic
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This is a classic French fricassee, a Provençal dish popularized by Richard Olney, James Beard and other great cookbook writers of the postwar generation. This dish might sound intimidating, but the mellowed garlic flavor creates a rich and flavorful sauce for the chicken.
An immense amount of garlic cooks slowly alongside the chicken, reducing the pungency of the cloves and replacing it with a thrumming sweetness and intensity. Eat the chicken in its sauce, then spread the softened garlic on bread and dip it in the remaining juices.
The James Beard Foundation's collection of recipes
The James Beard Foundation has a collection of recipes on their website that feature award-winning dishes and other interesting creations from various chefs.
These include:
Raspberry-Rhubarb Crostata: This rustic dessert is made with a flaky pastry crust filled with a tart and sweet mixture of raspberries and rhubarb.
Bucatini with Lamb Ragù: Bucatini is a thick, hollow pasta noodle that’s perfect for catching all the delicious flavors of a hearty lamb ragù.
Kimchi Grilled Cheese Sandwiches: This unique twist on a classic sandwich combines the salty and spicy flavors of kimchi with melty cheese and crispy bread.
These are just a few examples, and the James Beard Foundation website offers a wider range of his recipes .
James Beard Foundation and award.
James Beard, a culinary icon known as the “Dean of American Cookery,” was a prolific author and teacher who championed American cuisine. His legacy lives on through the James Beard Foundation.
This non-profit, established in 1986, honors Beard’s belief in good food and supports those who shape America’s food culture. They focus on advocacy for sustainable food systems, scholarships for culinary students, and of course, the annual James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards. They offer scholarships to aspiring chefs, organize educational conferences, and host guest chef dinners. Perhaps their most prestigious recognition is the annual James Beard Awards, celebrating excellence in restaurants and chefs.
Winning a James Beard Award is a huge honor for any chef or restaurant, and it can significantly boost their reputation and business. These awards are given out in a variety of categories, including Best Chef, Outstanding Restaurant, Rising Star Chef, and America’s Classics.
The Foundation embodies Beard’s philosophy by fostering appreciation for quality ingredients, good cooking techniques, and the joy of sharing a meal. It’s a central player in ensuring a bright future for American food, one that’s both delicious and equitable.
James Beard legacy lives on through the James Beard Foundation and Awards, which are considered some of the highest honors in the culinary world.
James Beard's impact on American Cookery
James Beard left a giant imprint on the American culinary scene. In a time when American food lacked prestige, Beard celebrated regional dishes and fresh, local ingredients. He helped Americans take pride in their own food heritage. Beard was one of the first chefs to bring cooking demonstrations to television, making culinary techniques accessible to home cooks across the nation. Through his schools and lectures, Beard inspired and trained generations of chefs, including Julia Child, who would further revolutionize American cooking. James Beard emphasized using high-quality, seasonal ingredients, a philosophy that resonates strongly in today’s farm-to-table movement.
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