James Beard - What Did He Contribute History of Cooking
It is nearly impossible to speak of any culinary feat without mentioning James Beard – what did he contribute history of cooking-wise? Well, a better question may be: what didn’t he contribute?
Born in Portland, Oregon, he had his first taste of real food right in his own home. Though his mother often cooked a few meals, he always credited the two Chinese helpers that his parents had with teaching him the art of true food. As a child, he was struck with malaria and forced to remain in bed... giving him ample time to eat and ponder. James Beard – what did he contribute history of cooking-wise? Well, it all began in France, really.
In the 1920s, he moved to France to discover different French cooking techniques. During this time, he spent many hours dining at fine French bistros. As a direct result of his years in France, he largely introduced French cuisine to America. When he returned to the United States, he (along with his friend Bill Rhodes) opened up a catering company called “Hors D’Oeuvre, Inc.” However, when rationing came along during the Great Depression, his catering business ended. In 1946, Beard appeared on a cooking show called “I Love to Eat” that was televised on NBC. From that moment on, he became the defining voice within the culinary world.
This food show would be the first of its type to be televised nation-wide (this was long before the Food Channel ever existed). For many, he was the first food personality within the United States, and he eventually turned his own name into a brand – a brand that sold rather well throughout the country. Not only did James Beard - what did he contribute history of cooking-wise? – bring French food to America, but he also changed the face of the American public through an act of charity.
He founded Citymeals-on-Wheels in 1981 – a charity that would bring homemade food to those elderly that could not leave their homes within New York City. Sadly, in order to make some extra money, Beard began to endorse canned and packaged products, which turned him largely into a hypocrite and left him to die alone.
Thanks to those that knew him, his legacy lives on today with the many foundations that he created (along with the prestigious award in his name). Now that you know the answer to the original question: James Beard – what did he contribute history of cooking-wise? You can easily understand why his name still carries a lot of weight within the culinary world.