- Alabama Chef Schools
- Arizona Chef Schools
- Arkansas Chef Schools
- California Chef Schools
- Colorado Chef Schools
- Connecticut Chef Schools
- District of Columbia Chef Schools
- Florida Chef Schools
- Georgia Chef Schools
- Hawaii Chef Schools
- Idaho Chef Schools
- Illinois Chef Schools
- Indiana Chef Schools
- Kansas Chef Schools
- Kentucky Chef Schools
- Louisiana Chef Schools
- Maryland Chef Schools
- Massachusetts Chef Schools
- Michigan Chef Schools
- Minnesota Chef Schools
- Mississippi Chef Schools
- Missouri Chef Schools
- Nevada Chef Schools
- New Jersey Chef Schools
- New York Chef Schools
- North Carolina Chef Schools
- Ohio Chef Schools
- Oregon Chef Schools
- Pennsylvania Chef Schools
- South Carolina Chef Schools
- Tennessee Chef Schools
- Texas Chef Schools
- Utah Chef Schools
- Virginia Chef Schools
- Washington Chef Schools
- West Virginia Chef Schools
- Wisconsin Chef Schools
- British Columbia Chef Schools
- Ontario Chef Schools
TV's "Frugal Gourmet" Chef Dies
Chef Jeff Smith, known to many who watched his PBS cooking show as the "Frugal Gourmet", died Wednesday in Seattle at the age of 65. Smith did his first shows on public TV ("Cooking Fish Creatively") in Tacoma in 1973, but began filming the "Frugal Gourmet" in 1983 in Chicago after a breakthrough appearance on Phil Donahue's talk show. Eventually, it was picked up by PBS stations nationwide and viewed by as many as 15 million people a week during its peak -- easily the most popular cooking show of its time.
Known for his high spirits, loud voice and lively arm gestures, Smith was one of the first celebrity chefs. He began his shows with history lessons on the food he was about to cook and introduced millions of Americans to cultures and cuisines they'd never tasted, let alone attempted in their own kitchens. He also enjoyed a successful career as a cookbook author, selling over 7 million copies of his 12 books. His show ended abruptly in 1997 after a group of men accused him of sexual assault when they were youths working at his Chaplain's Pantry restaurant (he denied the allegations and was never charged, but settled the case out of court).
That scandal, however, can't obscure the impact he had on American cooking in the television era:
"'He got everyone interested in cooking and would take you on a culinary adventure,' said Kathy Casey, a celebrity chef and longtime friend to whom Smith gifted his collection of vintage cookbooks. 'He taught me a lot about cuisines and food and traditions that I never would have been able to experience myself. He was always sharing his knowledge.'
He was an epicurean who embraced the culinary traditions of cultures and countries everywhere and brought them to Americans at a time when many such tastes were unknown and exotic."
Every show ended with his signature sign-off, "I bid you peace." Mr. Smith, we bid you peace and remember the "Frugal Gourmet" with great fondness.
California Culinary Academy
Get your Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts or Hospitality & Restaurant Management degree at the acclaimed California Culinary Academy in beautiful San Francisco, CA.
The Art Institutes
Turn your passion into a four-star career. At The Art Institutes, you'll explore traditional, fundamental cooking skills and get hands on training in our student-run restaurants.
Western Culinary Institute
Western Culinary Institute (WCI) offers world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu Programs in the heart of one of the nation's most beautiful and culturally-thriving cities — Portland, OR.
