Ethel G. Hofman facts for kids
2012 portrait of Ethel G. Hofman
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| Born | Ethel Greenwald 1939 (age 86–87) Glasgow, Scotland |
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| Cooking style | Jewish, Israeli, British |
| Education | Glasgow College of Domestic Science University of Chicago |
Ethel Greenwald Hofman, born in 1939, is an American writer who shares her knowledge about food and travel. She is known for her expertise in Jewish foods and culture from around the world, especially from Israel and the United Kingdom. She has written many articles and books about cooking.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Ethel Hofman was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1939. She was one of three children. Her parents were Jean and Harry Greenwald. In 1914, her father's family left Russia, hoping to go to America. Instead, they ended up in Lerwick, a town in Scotland's Shetland Islands. This island was over 300 miles from the nearest Jewish community.
In 1935, Ethel's father married Jean Segal, who had grown up in Scotland. When Ethel was six weeks old, her parents moved back to Lerwick. There, they ran a small shop that sold many different things. Even though the Greenwalds were the only Jewish family on the island, they kept their Jewish traditions strong. Ethel's mother, Jean, grew up in an Orthodox Jewish home. She could read Hebrew and spoke Yiddish with her husband. During World War II, from 1941 to 1945, Jean Greenwald organized Passover dinners every year for British soldiers. The first dinner was led by Sir Israel Brodie, who later became the Chief Rabbi of Great Britain.
After finishing her studies at Glasgow College of Domestic Science in 1959, Hofman moved to Chicago. She lived with an aunt there. She completed a one-year internship at the University of Chicago. Then, she worked for three and a half years as the Chief Administrative Dietitian at Michael Reese Hospital. This is where she met her husband.
Later, she lived in Basel, Switzerland, for two years. After that, she moved to Boston. In Boston, she worked as a nutritionist at the Harvard School of Public Health. Finally, she settled with her family in Philadelphia. Her husband, Dr. Walter I. Hofman, is a doctor who studies diseases. They have two children.
Culinary Journey
Ethel Hofman's love for cooking, especially Jewish cooking, started in her mother's kitchen. While living in Switzerland, she learned about European cooking from local chefs. She also studied advanced gourmet cooking at Le Cordon Bleu in London.
In Philadelphia, she started "The Instant Gourmet." This was the first cooking school of its kind in that city. She also met and worked with famous chefs like Emeril Lagasse, Jacques Pépin, and Julia Child. She even took special cooking classes from Julia Child. In 1995, she was chosen to be the president of the International Association of Culinary Professionals.
Cooking Style and Ideas
Ethel Hofman's cooking style is known for being simple and easy. Her main idea is "fresh, fast, and easy" cooking. She focuses on making healthy meals. Her Jewish home cooking recipes often use "convenience foods." This means many of her dishes take very little time and effort to make. The result is healthy, simple, and tasty food.
Her books have been well-liked by critics. Her cookbook Everyday Cooking for the Jewish Home and her memoir Mackerel at Midnight are especially popular.
Journalism Career
Ethel Hofman began writing about food in 1980. She wrote articles for The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia's Jewish Exponent. From 1985 to 2011, she was the Food Editor for the Baltimore Jewish Times. Her articles have also appeared in magazines like Gastronomica and TeaTime.
She wrote a cooking column that was published in many American Jewish newspapers. By 2005, her columns were in about 20 Jewish newspapers. These included the Washington Jewish Week, Chicago Jewish Star, and the Jewish News of Greater Phoenix.
Television and Radio
Ethel Hofman has also appeared on national television and radio shows. She was a guest on Cooking Live on the Food Network.
Awards and Recognition
Ethel Hofman has received several awards and honors for her work:
- 2011: She received an honorary doctorate from Glasgow Caledonian University.
- 2009: She received the Alumni Achievement Award from Glasgow Caledonian University.
- 1995-96: She served as President of the International Association of Culinary Professionals.
- 1995: She received the Doctorate of Food Service (DFS) from the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers.
- 1994: She was Vice-president of the International Association of Culinary Professionals.
- She is a member of Les Dames d'Escoffier, a group for women leaders in food, beverage, and hospitality.
Books Written by Ethel Hofman
- Mackerel at Midnight: Growing Up Jewish on a Remote Scottish Island (2005)
- The Art of Cooking: Recipes & Techniques (2001)
- Everyday Cooking for the Jewish Home: More than 350 Delectable Recipes (1997)
- The Family Cookbook (1991)
- Making Food Beautiful (1982)
