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Food Writing

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From journalists to cookbook authors, food writers have played an integral role in changing the public’s mind about the way we eat. Through recipes, encouragement to try new ingredients and restaurants, and attention to important issues such as food origins and consumer choices, writers like Elaine Corn, Joyce Goldstein, Antonia Allegra, and Alice Waters have influenced changes in how California – and the greater United States – eats.

Starting in the 1970s and 1980s, Sacramento food journalist Elaine Corn was integral in expanding food writing to include topics such as consumer advocacy and health and nutrition.

Cookbook cover of a woman in a red dress leaning back on her arms and staring at the camera with a fun, surprised expression. The woman, Elaine Corn, is on top of many stacks of newspapers
The New Cook Book by Elaine Corn, 2005 and photographs of Elaine Corn (Elaine Corn Papers, D-679)

Antonia “Toni” Allegra served as culinary director of the Beringer Vineyards School for American Chefs and founded the Symposium for Professional Food Writers in 1989. Speakers and featured experts included Harold McGee, writer of food chemistry; Phyllis Richman, food critic for the Washington Post; and Ila Stanger, former Editor-in-Chief, Food & Wine.

Rectangular, vertical flyer promoting the "Workshop for Professional Food Writers." The Culinary Arts Center of Beringer Vineyards is credited at the bottom for the event
Brochure excerpt from Workshop for Professional Food Writers, 1989 (Antonia Allegra Papers, D-685)
Envelope for the Food Writers Workshop with the question "Can you describe asparagus in 4 dynamite ways?" written across"
Envelope from Workshop for Professional Food Writers, 1989 (Antonia Allegra Papers, D-685)
A photograph of farm vegetables is in the center foreground. The background is orange. The title at the top reads "Chez Panisse Cooking" in uppercase font. The authors "Paul Bertolli with Alice Waters" are written in cursive, italicized font below the title. Text at the bottom reads "Photographs by Gail Skoff" is written in cursive, italicized font.
Chez Panisse Cooking: A Cookbook, 1994 Recipes and reflections from the iconic Berkeley, California, restaurant Chez Panisse by Chef Paul Bertolli with Alice Waters.
Hand-colored photographs by Gail Skoff.
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