Writing about Food Editor Ruth Ellen Church
I was reading the book, The Pecan: A History of America’s Native Nut, when I came across this reference to Chicago Tribune food editor Mary Meade. That was the pen name for Ruth Ellen Church.
Church was the first newspaper food editor to have a wine column and it continued for 17 years. She traveled extensively and shared her adventures with her Chicago readers. For example, she spent three months abroad for her “What’s Cooking in Europe” feature series which ran for 56 days in the Tribune. During her career, she wrote a daily food column plus a special section each Friday. She also directed all of the food photography which often included illustrated recipes which showed step-by-step how to prepare a dish.
I spoke about Church in Chicago last May and am working on a revise to resubmit academic article about her. I want Church’s name to be as well known as Mary Meade still is today.
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