This Week in Food News: The Culinary Legends Edition
Photo by Jeff Houck
This week in food news celebrates the achievements of the late Marion Cunningham and Julia Child–two legends who have forever changed the world of cooking. With Marion Cunningham’s recent passing on Wednesday, and what would have been Julia Child’s 100th birthday around the corner, foodies everywhere are honoring their great legacies. Read below to find out more:
• Fresh off the news of cooking legend, Marion Cunningham’s recent passing on Wednesday, the culinary world has been in a state of mourning. Cunningham, best known for reviving the “Fannie Farmer” cookbook and hosting her own Food Network series, died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease after a lengthy battle. An outspoken proponent of home-cooked meals, Cunningham, a self-taught cook, wrote about home cooking’s power to bring people together. Though she associated herself with many culinary visionaries, her cooking style remained grounded in humble and straightforward American recipes, earning her a large following. Without a doubt, Marion Cunningham’s lasting impression has secured her place as a culinary legend, whose spirit will continue to live on in America’s kitchens.
• This week, PBS announced their plans to honor Julia Child’s 100th birthday, with a Julia-filled broadcast starting August 5th. The late chef’s television show, “The French Chef,” along with “Julia Child Memories: Bon Appetit!” will be broadcast in homage to her lasting impact on the culinary world. In order to get people involved, PBS has invited people to put on their aprons, roll up their sleeves, and get cooking:
PBS viewers and Julia Child fans are encouraged to cook their own versions of a classic Julia dish and share the experience through pictures and blogs on PBS Food and by using the Twitter hashtag #CookforJulia.
Episodes of “The French Chef” have not aired since their debut in the 1960s. The broadcast, while nostalgic for many, will also be new to many viewers. We’re confident, though, that her effervescent charm will gain her a new generation of fans.
Watch Marion Cunningham and Julia Child in a joint television appearance:
