I have been looking at the history of food journalism, focusing on the real role that the NYT writer Craig Claiborne played. He has been given more credit than he truly deserves. He was hired by Elizabeth Penrose Hawkins. In her obit above, it is noted that one of her proudest moments was hiring Claiborne – putting a man in charge of what had been traditionally a women’s position. (He took over for Jane Nickerson – who clearly took a news approach to food.) Yet, for all his influence – he did not, at least initially, see food as news. In his memoir, this is how he describes his job…

I am continuing my research on newspaper food editors. I recently discovered Jane Nickerson who was the food editor of the New York Times from 1942 to 1957, when she moved to Lakeland, Fla. She was the food editor of the Lakeland Ledger (a NY Times-owned newspaper) from 1973 to 1988. I just ordered her Florida cookbook. At the Times, she was replaced by Craig Claiborne who remained in that position for nearly 30 years. He has been described as the country’s first male editor. According to a 1965 Time Magazine article, of the 700 American newspaper food editors, there were fewer than six men.

I am continuing my research on newspaper food editors. I recently discovered Jane Nickerson who was the food editor of the New York Times from 1942 to 1957, when she moved to Lakeland, Fla. She was the food editor of the Lakeland Ledger (a NY Times-owned newspaper) from 1973 to 1988. I just ordered her Florida cookbook. At the Times, she was replaced by Craig Claiborne who remained in that position for nearly 30 years. He has been described as the country’s first male editor. According to a 1965 Time Magazine article, of the 700 American newspaper food editors, there were fewer than six men.