Jaques Pepin

2 Pages 424 Words

Jacques Pepin is a famous chef. He is also a host of PBS-TV series, Today’s Gourmet. He has published 19 cookbooks. He is a contributing editor to FOOD & WINE MAGAZINE. Mr. Pepin was a columnist for the New York Times. Jacques Pepin was the personal chef to three French heads of state, including Charles DeGaulle. He has been a guest on many popular TV shows like The Today Show, and Good Morning America.
Jacques Pepin was born in Bourg-en Bresse, France. His parents owned a restaurant called Le Pelican. His first exposure to cooking was at that restaurant when he was 13 years old. His name means umbrella in French. The umbrella has become a family symbol or trademark for his signature that he signs his artwork with. He did a formal apprenticeship at the distinguished Grand Hotel de L’Europe in his hometown. He also worked in Paris training under Lucien Diat at the Plaza Athenee. He moved to the United States in 1959. He worked first at New York’s historic Le Pavillon restaurant. Then he worked ten years as a director of research and development at the Howard Johnson Company. He studied at Columbia University earning an MA degree in 18th Century French Literature. Jacques has painted many of the pictures that hang in his house. He is married and lives in Madison, Connecticut with his wife, Gloria and daughter Claudine.
Mr. Pepin is currently finished writing a cookbook called, Jacques Pepin’s Kitchen: Cooking with Claudine. He also serves as dean of the French Culinary Institute in New York City and he teaches at Boston University. His PBS series will be a 26 show series with Julia Child. Mr. Pepin is the recipient of two of the French government’s highest honors. He is the Chevalier de L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (1997) and a Chlevalier de L’Ordre du Merite Agicole (1992). He is also on the board of trustees of the James Beard Foundation.
Mr. Pepin feels cooking is a joy and a gift you ...