Biography for
Jeffrey L. Smith (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

22 January 1939, Tacoma, Washington, USA

Date of Death

7 July 2004, Seattle, Washington, USA (heart disease)

Birth Name

Jeffrey L. Smith

Nickname

The Frug

Height

6' 2" (1.88 m)

Mini Biography

Jeff Smith was born in Tacoma, Washington, in 1939. He grew up in a close family, and learned some of his first lessons in food, and in frugal cooking from his mother. His love of wine; one of the most prominent elements in his cooking, came from his friendship, in his youth, with a doctor named Lester Baskin. Dr. Baskin introduced young Smith to wine while he was studying to become a Methodist minister. He was ordained in 1965. Soon after was married, to a lady from New York, named Patty. As an assistant professor at the University of Puget Sound, Jeff began a cooking class, as a way of teaching his students about history, and different cultures: "eating history", as Smith put it. This lead to the opening of his Chaplain's Pantry cooking school in Tacoma, in 1972. And from there The Frugal Gourmet was born. The first shows were produced at KTPS in Tacoma, and Jeff's first cookbook was published in 1977. By the early 80s, The Frugal Gourmet had become the highest rated cooking show on television, and Jeff's books soared up the bestseller lists as soon as they were released. By this time, Smith and Patty had two sons, Channing and Jason; and Jeff's family soon became common topic on his television shows, along with his love of Chinese and Italian Quisine, Garlic, Wine, good olive oil; and his strong admiration for American statesman, Thomas Jefferson. Jeff's shows, aired on public television, covered an unbelievably wide variety of foods, and cooking styles. And Jeff's friendly, outgoing personality made them easy to watch. He was also a good teacher, and anyone who has ever watched The Frugal Gourmet has learned something; either about food or about life. In 1995, Jeff Smith hosted The Frugal Gourmet Keeps the Feast for the Odyssey Network. And then, he retired from television, leaving behind a legacy of loyal fans; people who learned to cook, eat well, and enjoy life... with lots of Garlic.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Erica Kay Carter

Spouse

Patricia Smith

(1966 - 7 July 2004) (his death) 2 children

Trivia

Has two sons; Channing and Jason. Opened the Chaplain's Pantry Cooking School in Tacoma, in 1972. Ordained as a minister in the United Methodist Church, in 1965. Has written several successfull cookbooks, including The Frugal Gourmet (1984), The Frugal Gourmet Cooks With Wine (1986), and The Frugal Gourmet Cooks American (1987). Had rheumatic fever as a child, which led to his undergoing heart surgery in the early 1980s. Served as Chaplain at the University of Puget Sound, from 1966 to 1972. In the late 1980s, he endorsed a line of cooking products bearing his name and likeness -- essentially products he used on his shows, that were otherwise hard to find.

a cameo in the video for "Love You Madly" by CAKE

He underwent surgery in 1981 to replace a heart valve.

He was an ordained Protestant minister.

His national television career took off when he appeared on the Phil Donahue Show.

Ran a restaurant called Chaplain's Pantry in Tacoma, Washington, in the 1970s.

The Frugal Gourmet became the most-watched cooking show in the US.

Spent the final years of his life encouraging young chefs, researching a book on biblical foods, and traveling to his favorite restaurants and markets in Hong Kong, New York and San Francisco.

Personal Quotes

"I bid you peace" - said at the end of every episode of The Frugal Gourmet

Frugal doesn't mean cheap. Frugal means that you don't waste anything.

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