Happy birthday James Beard!
James was born 5 May in 1903 in Portland, Oregon. In the 1930s he settled New York, where he gained a reputation for hosting a party ā specifically among New Yorkās queer community, where private parties were a much safer way to socialise than public bars.
He soon landed his first of what would become dozens of cookbook deals, and a gig hosting one of the USā first ever cooking shows. He advocated for a cuisine that used fresh ingredients and encouraged joy in cooking and eating, but remained accessible to the everyday American. By 1955, he was being described by the New York Times as the ādean of American Cookeryā.
In 1981, James came out publicly in his memoir, writing "By the time I was seven, I knew that I was gay. I think it's time to talk about that now."
We had a great time talking about James and queer food this week over on our Patreon. Thanks to all the wonderful people over there who are supporting Queer as Fact.















