Grigson, Jane (1928–1990)
Grigson, Jane (1928–1990)
English food writer. Born Heather Mabel Jane McIntyre, Mar 13, 1928, in Gloucester, England; died Mar 24, 1990, in Wiltshire, England; dau. of town clerk of Sunderland; Newnham College, Cambridge University, degree in English (1949); m. Goeffrey Grigson (poet and critic, died 1985); children: Sophie Grigson (food critic, cookbook writer and star of tv cooking shows, who published compilation of mother's recipes in The Enjoyment of Food, 1992).
One of the leading food writers of her generation, began career with translations of Pinocchio (1959) and Beccaria's Of Crimes and Punishments (1963), sharing John Florio Prize with Kenelm Foster (1966); traveled to France, then wrote 1st cookbook, Charcuterie and French Pork Cooking (1967); worked as culinary correspondent for Observer Colour Magazine (1968–90), later publishing Good Things (1984) and Food with the Famous (1991), based on a highly successful series; published Fish Cookery (1973) and English Food (1974), both influenced by North Country traditions; also wrote The Mushroom Feast (1975); though influenced by Elizabeth David, developed her own style. Voted Cookery Writer of the Year (1977) for English Food; received Glenfiddich Writer of the Year award (1978) and André Simon Memorial Fund Book award for Vegetable Book (1978) and Fruit Book (1982).