Irena Chalmers (1935-2020) wore many hats in the food industry. The author of more than forty books, she regularly contributed to such publications as The New York Times, Food & Wine, Gastronomica, Food Arts, and Nation’s Restaurant News. She was a founding member and past president of both the International Association of Culinary Professionals and Les Dames d’Escoffier International, as well as a James Beard Foundation “Who’s Who” of Food And Beverage in America. Her first book with Beaufort Books won the 2008 Gourmand World Cookbook Award for the Best Book for Food Professionals in the U.S. and later, the 2008 Gourmand World Cookbook Award—Best Book for Food Professionals in the World.
Until her death in 2020, Chalmers divided her time between being a faculty member at The Culinary Institute of America, “The Last Word” columnist for Chef magazine, food essayist for WAMC/NPR Northeast Public Radio, blogger, consultant, and counselor to many about to embark on their own culinary adventure. You can learn more about Irena Chalmers and her work at www.FoodJobsBook.com
Photo credit: Phil Mansfield