Thursday, November 22, 2012

Arthur Ginsburg, aka Mr. Food (1931-2012)

He was a local guy who made it big. Very, very big.

What started as a simple, recurring feature on a locally produced talk show in the 70's turned into a national phenomenon and a cottage industry that is still thriving. The man behind it all, Arthur Ginsburg, better known as "Mr. Food", passed away Wednesday at his home in Florida at the age of 81 from pancreatic cancer.

Ginsburg began his career appearing on the local talk show, Coffee Break, which aired on WAST (now WNYT) in the early-to-mid-70's. His simple approach to cooking caught on with viewers. Before the end of the decade, Ginsburg moved to WRGB, where his "Mr. Food" segments appeared frequently on the 6:00 news. He wrote several cookbooks, and landed a syndication deal in the 80's.

In more recent times, Ginsburg helped launch the career of another locally-based "foodie" who went national herself, Rachael Ray. A second syndicated series began and will continue, to carry on the legacy that started with "Mr. Food".

WLFITV uploaded this piece, which is appropriate for today, Thanksgiving Day:



While I never met the man himself, I went to school with his son, and I personally extend my condolences and sympathies to the family. Rest in peace, Arthur. Heaven just got a new master chef.

2 comments:

magicdog said...

I head about his passing yesterday morning and was floored! So sad!

I remember him from all his tasty tips when his segment appeared during the News at Noon on WWOR-TV (channel 9).

I didnt know he was connected to Rachel Ray!

hobbyfan said...

Oh, indeed, it's true.

It's kind of like this. Mr. Food was like the gourmet chef moonlighting as a home ec teacher. Rachael looks like an eternally youthful Girl Scout.