Mary Meade
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Wine Journalism Reference to Ruth Ellen Church
I was happy to see this reference to Chicago Tribune food editor Ruth Ellen Church in the book, American Wine. Church, who initially wrote under the pen name Mary Meade, was the first American newspaper wine editor. I am working on a journal article about Church and the history of newspaper wine journalism, based on my Food Studies conference paper.
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Chicago Tribune Beauty Editor Eleanor Nagle
- food editors, food journalism, Food Studies, Mary Meade, Ruth Ellen Church, wine editor, wine journalism
Food Studies Conference: The First Newspaper Wine Editor, Ruth Ellen Church
I am virtually presenting a paper for the Food Studies Conference next fall: “The First Lady of Wine Journalism: Ruth Ellen Church.” I just received the email acceptance and am looking forward to talking about the wine coverage in the women’s pages. The first person to write a wine column for an American newspaper was Ruth Ellen Church, the Chicago Tribune food editor who often used the pen name of Mary Meade. Her column began in 1962. Initially, she traveled through Europe to learn about wine. In 1963 she published the cookbook, The American Guide to Wines which included an introduction by esteemed food writer Morrison Wood. She later wrote…
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Food Studies Presentation: Ohio Food Editor History
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Poynter: Three early food editors who did a lot more than share recipes
I loved this Poynter post about my book, The Food Section, and three of my favorite food editors: Jeanne Voltz, Jane Nickerson & Ruth Ellen Church.
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Food Studies Presentation: Ohio Food Editor History
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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…
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Food Studies Presentation: Ohio Food Editor History
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Cookbook Dedication: Day Five
Chicago Tribune food editor Ruth Ellen Church, often using the pen name of Mary Meade, wrote several cookbooks. Her dedications added new information yet also introduced a new question. Her 1965 edition of Mary Meade’s Magic Recipes is dedicated to:“For Morrison Wood, whose enthusiastic review of this book thirteen years ago launched its successful career, my grateful thanks.” Her 1962 book Pancakes Aplenty is dedicated to: “My favorite sister, Marian Miller.” Her 1966 edition of Mary Meade’s Modern Homemaker Cookbook is dedicated “For Holly Kapple Field, Young Modern Homemaker.” I have not been able to track down who this woman is.
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Food Studies Presentation: Ohio Food Editor History
- food editors, food history, food journalism, Mary Meade, Ruth Ellen Church, women's history month, women's page history
Women’s History Month: Ruth Ellen Church
Day 25 of Women’s History Month features the Chicago Tribune’s Ruth Ellen Church (who often used the byline Mary Meade). She was the food editor from 1936 to 1974. She graduated from Iowa State University in 1933 with a degree in food and nutrition journalism. She guided the development of The Tribune’s test kitchen, one of the first at a newspaper, and in 1962 became the first American writing a regular wine column. She won six Vesta Awards – the top recognition for food sections. In 1948, Church introduced the recipe feature “Cake of the Week.” Church was quoted: “My staff and I have known for a long time that…
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Food Studies Presentation: Ohio Food Editor History
