Who is James Beard

James Beard was most active in Portland when I was a young child so I don't remember ever meeting him or eating in his restaurants.

I do remember everyone deferring to him as setting the standard for dishes and menus. He was The Master.

In our family if he recommended a particular technique of preparation or cooking there was no other way. His home in Gearhard on the Oregon coast was a pilgrimage for one visiting aunt.

As he became famous in New York and other places of status I always felt hometown pride.