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Corby Kummer

Corby Kummer

Corby Kummer's work in The Atlantic has established him as one of the most widely read, authoritative, and creative food writers in the United States. The San Francisco Examiner pronounced him "a dean among food writers in America." More

Corby Kummer's work in The Atlantic has established him as one of the most widely read, authoritative, and creative food writers in the United States. The San Francisco Examiner pronounced him "a dean among food writers in America." Julia Child once said, "I think he's a very good food writer. He really does his homework. As a reporter and a writer he takes his work very seriously." Kummer's 1990 Atlantic series about coffee was heralded by foodies and the general public alike. The response to his recommendations about coffees and coffee-makers was typical--suppliers scrambled to meet the demand. As Giorgio Deluca, co-founder of New York's epicurean grocery Dean & Deluca, says: "I can tell when Corby's pieces hit; the phone doesn't stop ringing." His book, The Joy of Coffee, based on his Atlantic series, was heralded by The New York Times as "the most definitive and engagingly written book on the subject to date." In nominating his work for a National Magazine Award (for which he became a finalist), the editors wrote: "Kummer treats food as if its preparation were something of a life sport: an activity to be pursued regularly and healthfully by knowledgeable people who demand quality." Kummer's book The Pleasures of Slow Food celebrates local artisans who raise and prepare the foods of their regions with the love and expertise that come only with generations of practice. Kummer was restaurant critic of New York Magazine in 1995 and 1996 and since 1997 has served as restaurant critic for Boston Magazine. He is also a frequent food commentator on television and radio. He was educated at Yale, and came to The Atlantic Monthly in 1981. He is the recipient of five James Beard Journalism Awards, including the MFK Fisher Distinguished Writing Award.

Charm Of The Farm

Health Aug 7 2009, 4:15 PM ET

CHARM OF THE FARM I should resist--but when it comes to Chris Kurth and his Siena Farms, I can't, as our new video shows.… More »

Finger Food: Pretty Much Everything

Health Aug 5 2009, 3:01 PM ET

FINGER FOOD "I've fallen into the wrong crowd," I told my disapproving brother. "Food people eat with their fingers."… More »

Julie Talks

Health Aug 5 2009, 10:04 AM ET

JULIE TALKS What's it like having adorable Amy Adams play the "you" reimagined by Nora Ephron? Complicated.… More »

Julie & Julia Premiere: Starry in the Right Way

Health Aug 3 2009, 10:37 AM ET

J&J PREMIERE: STARRY IN THE RIGHT WAY The stars you always hope to see: the cleverest people in New York.… More »

Zeke Is Back, (Unwillingly) In A Tuxedo

Health Jul 28 2009, 9:07 AM ET

ZEKE IS BACK, (UNWILLINGLY) IN A TUX He points out that however swanky, rubber chicken is rubber chicken.… More »

Unlike Guests, The Camera Never Lies

Health Jul 27 2009, 8:35 AM ET

UNLIKE GUESTS, THE CAMERA NEVER LIES Susan Spungen is so good it didn't have to try, critics report.… More »

Biscuits Conquer All

Health Jul 24 2009, 11:09 AM ET

BISCUITS CONQUER ALL They're the secret weapon of love and friendship, as our new Natchez correspondent shows.… More »

Coffee Glamour: Italians Do It Better

Health Jul 23 2009, 11:48 AM ET

COFFEE GLAMOUR Faith tells us about espresso in a cocktail shaker, which reminds of my own heartthrob--granita.… More »

Farmer's Market Mirage

Health Jul 20 2009, 10:51 AM ET

MARKET MIRAGE As restaurant week gets underway, a New York sighting dashes hopes as only life on a movie set can.… More »

I Love Lard, But...

Health Jul 15 2009, 9:01 AM ET

I LOVE LARD, BUT... After a first look at Julie & Julia, I got a tip that would have sent Julia straight to the pie pans.… More »

Even If You Can Stand the Heat

Health Jul 13 2009, 8:35 AM ET

EVEN IF YOU CAN STAND THE HEAT Grant Achatz says what most chefs won't: getting out of the kitchen is essential.… More »

Forbidden Fruit

Health Jul 13 2009, 8:30 AM ET

SPOTTED IN CHINATOWN The smelly but lush durian, now being scooped out on the streets of New York.… More »

Decaf, Caf--Is It Really All Caf?

Health Jul 7 2009, 9:51 AM ET

DECAF, CAF--IT'S ALL CAF So said a cynical friend when I was offering after-dinner coffee. Times are changing--slowly.… More »

Push An Atlantic Writer Around

Health Jul 6 2009, 8:35 AM ET

PUSH AN ATLANTIC WRITER AROUND Don't say you haven't wanted to. Seize the moment--seize the summer.… More »

Tipping Really Isn't A City In China

Health Jul 1 2009, 12:55 PM ET

TIPPING REALLY ISN'T A CITY IN CHINA Those Starbucks tip jars are right, Fallows confirms. Time to abolish tipping here?… More »

Issue July 2009

Fixing Lunch

Magazine July 2009

Tony Geraci is determined to get healthy food to the kids in Baltimore's public schools… More »

I Want What They're Having

Health Jun 30 2009, 8:18 AM ET

I WANT WHAT THEY'RE HAVING Grant Achatz goes into one of the inevitable dining emotions: envy.… More »

Cookies, Cheese, and a Panda at the Fancy Food Show

Health Jun 29 2009, 9:03 AM ET

FANCY FOOD SHOW It has everything from rugelach to heat 'n' eat mussels to a panda hawking licorice.… More »

Bartending With and Without Booze

Health Jun 25 2009, 1:29 PM ET

BARTENDING WITHOUT BOOZE Alcohol might be the next gluten, as Zeke on Charlie Trotter's new drinks suggests.… More »

Lobster, Lobster Everywhere

Health Jun 24 2009, 9:42 AM ET

LOBSTER, LOBSTER EVERYWHERE A news item made me worry. I asked an expert and was happily surprised.… More »

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