Homegrown In The Pacific Northwest: James Beard’s Oregon Connection…
If you are a foody like me, then James Beard epitomizes the best in cooking and turns out he learned much while living in Clatsop County. This article covers his history in a well researched 2018 article about this famous chef and his interactions in our North West oregon communities.
Summary
Jennifer Margulis’s feature explores how James Beard’s Oregon roots profoundly shaped his identity as America’s first true “food sensualist.” Born in Portland in 1903, Beard was nurtured by his mother Mary Elizabeth’s culinary curiosity and exposure to Portland’s multicultural food scene, especially the fresh bounty of the Oregon Coast in Gearhart. Expelled from Reed College in 1921 for being openly gay, Beard eventually found success in New York City as a celebrated chef, author of over twenty cookbooks, and teacher who inspired generations of home cooks and professional chefs alike. Margulis traces his journey from Portland’s muddy streets to culinary fame, emphasizing his lifelong passion for fresh, local ingredients and his deep affection for Oregon’s natural abundance. Beard’s ashes, fittingly, were scattered at Gearhart Beach—returning him to the place that first kindled his love of food.
About the Author
Jennifer Margulis, Ph.D. is an award-winning journalist, Fulbright grantee, and regular contributor to the Jefferson Journal. She produces radio features for Jefferson Public Radio and has written for major outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Smithsonian Magazine. A former senior fellow at the Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism at Brandeis University, Margulis is the author or editor of eight books. Her most recent, The Addiction Spectrum (co-written with Paul Thomas, M.D.), offers a holistic and unconventional approach to addressing addiction in America. Learn more at www.JenniferMargulis.net.
Note: Permission to reprint this article was granted by the Audience Services Coordinator of Jefferson Public Radio, the original source of publication.
Click Here to View on the Clatsop County Historical Society’s Digital Archive
Homegrown-In-The-Pacific-Northwest_-James-Beards-Oregon-Connection-2**”History can disappear in an instant, but with your help, we can preserve it forever. The Paul See Digital Scanning Initiative has already digitized over 75,000 pages of Clatsop County’s history, ensuring it remains accessible for generations. Now, every donation counts more than ever—a generous donor is matching all contributions dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000 through the end of 2025!
To donate, visit astoriamuseums.org/support-us/donate, mail a check to CCHS at PO Box 88, Astoria, OR 97103, or call 503-325-2203 (be sure to specify it’s for the Scanning Center).
Don’t miss this chance to double your impact—every dollar makes a difference in preserving our shared heritage!”**
