Author, food critic, and former editor-in-chief of Gourmet magazine, Ruth Reichl has been a treasured voice on the culinary landscape for many years, zealously guiding us about how to cook, what to eat and where to eat. The Seattle Times called her "one of the nation's most influential figures in the food world."
The recipient of six James Beard Foundation Awards, Reichl was born and raised in New York City and moved to Berkeley, Calif., where she played an integral part in America’s culinary revolution as chef and co-owner of The Swallow Restaurant. She eventually went on to become food editor for the Los Angeles Times and the famed restaurant critic for The New York Times. She was editor-in-chief of Gourmet from 1999 until the magazine's closure in 2009 and currently is editor-at-large at Random House.
In 2011 Reichl began serving as a judge on Bravo's “Top Chef Masters.” She also serves as editorial advisor to Gilt Taste, an online culinary magazine.
Reichl is the author of several bestselling memoirs: Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise, in which she recounts her adventures in restaurant reviewing for The New York Times; Tender at the Bone: Growing Up at the Table; and Comfort Me With Apples. Her most recent work is For You, Mom. Finally, a memoir of her late mother's life. She will be releasing three new books with Random House: a ’cookbook-slash-memoir , The Tao of Ruth; and her first novel, Delicious!, and a memoir of her years at Gourmet.
In her 10-episode culinary journey, “Gourmet’s Adventures with Ruth” that aired on PBS in 2009, Reichl visited the best cooking schools on five continents and brought along some of her foodie and actor friends to sharpen their skills. According to Reichl, "There’s no better way to experience a culture than to stand at the stove with a wonderful cook." She was also the host of three episodes of “Eating Out Loud” on The Food Network covering New York, San Francisco and Miami.
