Craig Claiborne

About

Longtime food critic for the New York Times. He set the standard for modern reviews: objectivity, professionalism, and authority.

Before Fame

He trained in preparing French cuisine at a high-end Swiss hotel, and then wrote for Gourmet magazine before joining the Times.

Trivia

He took food articles from fluff pieces to regular and popular features. He introduced the star rating system in the U.S., and wrote popular recipe books.

Family Life

He grew up in a stifling Mississippi household, often bullied at school for being a sissy, and finding refuge in his mother's kitchen.

Associated With

He was a contemporary of celebrity chef Julia Child, but even she could not claim the same influence as he held.