It's hard to believe, but I clearly remember reading this piece in 1981. I thought the Annie Liebovitz photo was stunning, and then the writing itself drew me in. I had never heard of MFK Fisher, so I was doubly intrigued. At the time, I was in the Navy, living overseas, and when my Ms magazine landed in the communal mailbox, I remember people looking at me as if I were 1) more avant garde and 2) weirder than they already imagined. LOL.
MFK Fisher’s Time Life Cookbook about Provincial France was among my first cookbooks as a newlywed. I still have it today and continue to reference it. She may have written it for the money but it was a wonderful early introduction for me to food outside of my personal experience.
Thank you for this. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting her in her Sonoma home,and, although she was already bedridden with Parkinson’s disease, I spent a lovely afternoon chatting with her sister Nora. The house was fascinating and one would have loved to spend time just poking amongst the many wonderful books and mementos therein. I brought her a fresh fig tarte which she professed to enjoy. Although quite frail, she still exuded the character one would expect from her. I felt so very fortunate!
I honor MFK Fisher as the writer who long ago helped me realize that I had a different relationship to food than those around me. I hope I find more of your articles about her .... and thank your for your fine words about food as well :-)
Such sage advice. Deadlines are a powerful tool. Though it does also remind me of that Douglas Adams quote. “I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.” Obviously he wasn’t writing a 1000 words at a time 😁
I saw Food and Country in Salt Lake City, and so did not get to see the panel, alas. It would have been wonderful to see all of you together. The documentary was not at all what I expected, it being the last day of the festival and my just wanting something to fill a gap in my schedule. It was, truly, my favorite documentary of the festival and a real eye opener. I've taken to asking a lot of questions where I purchase my food about where it comes from, and to my great surprise, the small grocers, butchers, and fish mongers are happy to answer. Thanks for altering my thinking about so much and how food relates to social justice, as well.
I’m reading MFK’s Gastronomical Me, which I should have read sooner, but love it. I also really enjoyed her great-nephew Luke Barr’s book Provence 1970 which chronicled her summer with the great food writers of that time, Julia Child, James Beard etc when they all found themselves together in France. It’s so beautifully written. And that menu from Daniel Boulud - wow! I have been writing about these chefs recently, what influence! I just love learning about this era of great chefs.
I never tire of re-reading your articles about MFK, her writings, or re-reading your own "food" memoirs. All continue to delight me and make me see the world in new ways.
It's hard to believe, but I clearly remember reading this piece in 1981. I thought the Annie Liebovitz photo was stunning, and then the writing itself drew me in. I had never heard of MFK Fisher, so I was doubly intrigued. At the time, I was in the Navy, living overseas, and when my Ms magazine landed in the communal mailbox, I remember people looking at me as if I were 1) more avant garde and 2) weirder than they already imagined. LOL.
MFK Fisher’s Time Life Cookbook about Provincial France was among my first cookbooks as a newlywed. I still have it today and continue to reference it. She may have written it for the money but it was a wonderful early introduction for me to food outside of my personal experience.
Lovely article - so full of life and conveyed this remarkable person very well. Thank you!!
That Boulud menu from 2010! To be honest I would have gone for the wines alone.
Thank you for this. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting her in her Sonoma home,and, although she was already bedridden with Parkinson’s disease, I spent a lovely afternoon chatting with her sister Nora. The house was fascinating and one would have loved to spend time just poking amongst the many wonderful books and mementos therein. I brought her a fresh fig tarte which she professed to enjoy. Although quite frail, she still exuded the character one would expect from her. I felt so very fortunate!
I own every book she ever published and have read many several times. Her prose is delicious.
I honor MFK Fisher as the writer who long ago helped me realize that I had a different relationship to food than those around me. I hope I find more of your articles about her .... and thank your for your fine words about food as well :-)
Such sage advice. Deadlines are a powerful tool. Though it does also remind me of that Douglas Adams quote. “I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.” Obviously he wasn’t writing a 1000 words at a time 😁
I loved reading this article! You continue to inspire me.
I saw Food and Country in Salt Lake City, and so did not get to see the panel, alas. It would have been wonderful to see all of you together. The documentary was not at all what I expected, it being the last day of the festival and my just wanting something to fill a gap in my schedule. It was, truly, my favorite documentary of the festival and a real eye opener. I've taken to asking a lot of questions where I purchase my food about where it comes from, and to my great surprise, the small grocers, butchers, and fish mongers are happy to answer. Thanks for altering my thinking about so much and how food relates to social justice, as well.
I’m reading MFK’s Gastronomical Me, which I should have read sooner, but love it. I also really enjoyed her great-nephew Luke Barr’s book Provence 1970 which chronicled her summer with the great food writers of that time, Julia Child, James Beard etc when they all found themselves together in France. It’s so beautifully written. And that menu from Daniel Boulud - wow! I have been writing about these chefs recently, what influence! I just love learning about this era of great chefs.
Thanks for this post, I have been reading about Fisher since morning. Thank you for the delightful article.
Your profile has aged well. It was a delightful read.
❤️👏
I never tire of re-reading your articles about MFK, her writings, or re-reading your own "food" memoirs. All continue to delight me and make me see the world in new ways.