James Beard

Country

United States

Birth - Death

1903 - 1985

Occupation

Chef

Description

Central figure in the establishment of the gourmet food and restaurant industry in the United States. Author of numerous culinary books and star of his own television cooking show. Creator of the James Beard Cooking School and the James Beard Foundation, and its James Beard Awards for recognizing outstanding chefs. Was kicked out of Reed College in 1922 for being gay. In his memoir, stated, "By the time I was seven, I knew that I was gay, and until I was about forty-five, I had a really violent temper."