Jane Nickerson
-
Investigating Food Journalism History
As I go through the page proofs of The Food Section, I was reminded how this research got started. My investigation of food journalism began with a Call For Papers for the Icons of American Cooking chapters several years ago. I responded and pitched Jeanne Voltz’s name. I was familiar with Jeanne’s work as the food editor at the Miami Herald and knew that she went on to a successful career at the Los Angeles Times. Instead, I got assigned the chapter for James Beard. As I did the research for the chapter, I was amazed how much scholarship already existed about Beard. It was difficult to believe that culinary…
You May Also Like
Food Studies Presentation: Ohio Food Editor History
- Cecily Brownstone, food editors, food journalism, James Beard, Jane Nickerson, restaurant critics, restaurant reviewing
New York City Culinary Conversation of James Beard, Jane Nickerson, and Cecily Brownstone
My article “Dining Out: New York City Culinary Conversation of James Beard, Jane Nickerson, and Cecily Brownstone,” has been accepted for publication in NYFoodStory which is produced by the Culinary Historians of New York. In the late 1940s and for much of the 1950s, Jane Nickerson was the food editor of the New York Times . Although she has been largely overshadowed by Craig Claiborne, she was a formidable force in the New York food community. She reviewed many of the city’s restaurants, up to 21,000 in 1949. Often, her dinner companions were food writers James Beard and Cecily Brownstone. In fact, Nickerson introduced the culinary pair who would speak…
You May Also Like
Green Bean Casserole & Food Editor Cecily Brownstone
- Florida newspapers, food editors, food journalism, Jane Nickerson, Top Food Editors, women's page history
Top Food Editors: Day Seven & Jane Nickerson
Day seven of top newspaper food editors features Jane Nickerson – the first food editor of the New York Times. In 1938, she graduated from the all-female Radcliffe College. The following year, she began her journalism career as an editorial assistant for the Ladies Home Journal. She moved on to the Saturday Evening Post before moving to New York City in 1942 to work at The New York Times. She left the newspaper in 1957 and was replaced by Craig Claiborne. After raising four children, she wrote a cookbook and became the food editor at the Lakeland Ledger in 1972. She also reviewed restaurants for the newspaper.
- food editors, food history, food journalism, Jane Nickerson, journalism history, women's page history
More About Jane Nickerson & Journalism History
The creation of the 1950s New York food community likely began with Jane Nickerson at the New York Times. She was the first food editor at the newspaper, beginning in 1942. Over the years, she introduced James Beard to the A.P.’s Cecily Brownstone. Those two were often dinner companions along with Nickerson and her husband. It was Brownstone who introduced the New York food community to Irma S. Rombauer, author of the popular cookbook Joy of Cooking. Later, it was Beard who introduced Julia Child to the food community. Yet, in another example of marginalization, Nickerson rarely get the credit in historical culinary stories. Instead, she has been overshadowed by…
You May Also Like
Food Studies Presentation: Ohio Food Editor History
-
Green Goddess Dressing History
I recently read about food editor Judyrae Kruse retiring from the Herald, a newspaper in Everette, Washington. According to her retirement story: “To read Judy’s column is to read a diary of life in Snohomish County: Recipes for slow-cooker stew and make-ahead casseroles followed the school year. She shared an idea for dinner pulled from the pantry after a week of snow and ice. When the weather warmed, the recipes cooled: crisp salads and gelatin desserts, ideas for grilling. Occasionally, without warning, a recipe would strike a chord. Who knew Snohomish County residents ate so much Green Goddess dressing? After a request, the deluge of recipes continued for months.” Green…
You May Also Like
Food Studies Presentation: Ohio Food Editor History
- food editors, food history, food journalism, Jane Nickerson, Jeanne Voltz, journalism history, ruth gray, women's page history
Women’s Pages & Florida Food History
Lance are going to hear my favorite Florida historian tonight – Gary Mormino. He is going to speak about one of my favorite topics – the history of food in Florida. The event is being held at the Orange County History Center. Florida newspapers have had some great food editors over the years. Jeanne Voltz was the food editor at the Miami Herald during the 1950s and traveled the state looking for food stories. After being the first food editor at the New York Times, Jane Nickerson went on to be the food editor at the Lakeland Ledger. Ruth Gray was the food editor at the St. Petersburg Times who…
You May Also Like
Food Studies Presentation: Ohio Food Editor History
