Nathalie lived a full life and loved people completely. And her mind at the end was sharp remembering so much, saying what she could, and when she couldn’t, just smiling.
My heart goes out to you on the loss of such a dear friend and mentor. I was so sorry to hear of Nathalie's passing yesterday. What an extraordinary person and culinary legacy. We crossed paths at countless IACP conferences over the years, a true highlight was a visit at her Charleston home--a particular joy to see her in her element! This is a beautiful tribute.
OMG! The menu from the 1980 class Pat Conroy attended: crown roast of pork, orange & fennel salad, turnip greens & grits, & creme brulee. The high & the low. Combining all the influences from travel & reading into one menu: British, French, Italian & southern in one meal. She was *decades* ahead of her time.
My 2 favorite books of hers are Southern Memories (I made the spicy pecans for years as Xmas presents at work) & Comfortable Entertaining (the first recipe I cooked from it was Bobotie with vegetables. Quite exotic for someone who grew up in the 1970s midwest. And really good.)
Paula, you are so right. Nathalie was ahead of her time. She brought European flavors to Atlanta and the South. Because she had studied at the London Cordon Bleu, she had all her students - and me - learn to make Baps, which are a breakfast roll. Everything was sensual to Nathalie, the feel of the bap dough under your palm as you rolled it smoothly against the counter, the crisp Madeleines we ate we tea as she read Proust to us. Nathalie brought the world to the basement of the Rich’s department store. People who had never been outside of the South were enlightened. To this day, I still cook this way, with highs and lows, celebrating the South but also elevating its cooking, too.
She was one of those people who you felt like you knew even though you had never met her. My husband and I attended a cooking demonstration she gave here in Minneapolis at least 30 years ago. She was a storyteller as well as a great cook and teacher. I followed her on Facebook where she treated everyone as a friend and she wasn't afraid to stand up for what she believed in. Thanks for telling us about your friendship with her.
She was a great storyteller. You are right, Karen. Television brought Nathalie into everyone’s homes, and I recall her telling me how it shocked her at first that people she didn’t know wanted to touch her and get close to her. They felt like they knew her. And on Facebook she was so open to others and the epitome of caring. Truly the grown-up in the room. Something to be modeled today.
Thank you, Deborah. It was off the top of my head and late at night when I received the news. I couldn’t go forward with the planned post under the circumstances. Lots of tributes to Nathalie will be pouring in. I do think this is her most iconic recipe.
Faye, she lived a full life with the ups and downs all of us experience. But what Nathalie excelled in was getting your attention. Through her sultry voice, her bright and dramatic clothes, and just being in the room. She used this ability to good causes.
Thank you, Eileen. She was something special. Her sense of humor was infectious and she was not afraid of poking fun at herself and her own mishaps which made her even more lovable.
I remember when I was a young girl and watching her cooking show on PBS; she and Julia were two of my favorites. I just bought one of her cookbooks this past summer at a bookfair and over the holidays I had some time off and I so enjoyed reading through it. I have post-it-notes all over it on the recipes I cannot wait to make. Thank you so much for sharing this personal relationship you had with this truly amazing and lovely lady.
This is a lovely tribute to a woman who showed us “the joy of cooking.” Btw-I love your cookbook. It lives on my kitchen cabinet, but my husband recently ask that I put it on the shelf so that I wouldn’t use it everyday😊.
What a fascinating woman! Thank you for sharing her story. What a life she lived. I’m sorry for your loss.
Nathalie lived a full life and loved people completely. And her mind at the end was sharp remembering so much, saying what she could, and when she couldn’t, just smiling.
A few years ago, I started collecting stories of dynamic, original women. I’m happy to add hers to the group.
A kind and generous woman. Thanks for sharing your memories, Anne.
You would have liked her feistiness, Kate. She was a big supporter of so many women. But honestly, she only had a twinkle in her eye for men.
My heart goes out to you on the loss of such a dear friend and mentor. I was so sorry to hear of Nathalie's passing yesterday. What an extraordinary person and culinary legacy. We crossed paths at countless IACP conferences over the years, a true highlight was a visit at her Charleston home--a particular joy to see her in her element! This is a beautiful tribute.
Charleston meant everything to Nathalie. She opened her doors for countless authors to debut their books. She was incredibly generous.
What a lovely story. You honor your friend and mentor well. Thank you for helping us see a glimpse of her that we would not have otherwise known.
Katrina, I was happy to share. And I am sure more memories will pop up today and tomorrow as the news sinks in.
OMG! The menu from the 1980 class Pat Conroy attended: crown roast of pork, orange & fennel salad, turnip greens & grits, & creme brulee. The high & the low. Combining all the influences from travel & reading into one menu: British, French, Italian & southern in one meal. She was *decades* ahead of her time.
My 2 favorite books of hers are Southern Memories (I made the spicy pecans for years as Xmas presents at work) & Comfortable Entertaining (the first recipe I cooked from it was Bobotie with vegetables. Quite exotic for someone who grew up in the 1970s midwest. And really good.)
Paula, you are so right. Nathalie was ahead of her time. She brought European flavors to Atlanta and the South. Because she had studied at the London Cordon Bleu, she had all her students - and me - learn to make Baps, which are a breakfast roll. Everything was sensual to Nathalie, the feel of the bap dough under your palm as you rolled it smoothly against the counter, the crisp Madeleines we ate we tea as she read Proust to us. Nathalie brought the world to the basement of the Rich’s department store. People who had never been outside of the South were enlightened. To this day, I still cook this way, with highs and lows, celebrating the South but also elevating its cooking, too.
She was one of those people who you felt like you knew even though you had never met her. My husband and I attended a cooking demonstration she gave here in Minneapolis at least 30 years ago. She was a storyteller as well as a great cook and teacher. I followed her on Facebook where she treated everyone as a friend and she wasn't afraid to stand up for what she believed in. Thanks for telling us about your friendship with her.
She was a great storyteller. You are right, Karen. Television brought Nathalie into everyone’s homes, and I recall her telling me how it shocked her at first that people she didn’t know wanted to touch her and get close to her. They felt like they knew her. And on Facebook she was so open to others and the epitome of caring. Truly the grown-up in the room. Something to be modeled today.
I'm going to pull her books out tonight. I especially remember the wonderful and personal essays in Matters of Taste.
Anne: Another great piece! Sorry for the loss of your friend. She seemed like a treasure. I will be making her biscuits too at some point!
Thank you, Deborah. It was off the top of my head and late at night when I received the news. I couldn’t go forward with the planned post under the circumstances. Lots of tributes to Nathalie will be pouring in. I do think this is her most iconic recipe.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
Faye, she lived a full life with the ups and downs all of us experience. But what Nathalie excelled in was getting your attention. Through her sultry voice, her bright and dramatic clothes, and just being in the room. She used this ability to good causes.
Good causes indeed!
How sad to lose a dear friend. May you find comfort in the many memories you shared together.
Thank you, Eileen. She was something special. Her sense of humor was infectious and she was not afraid of poking fun at herself and her own mishaps which made her even more lovable.
I remember when I was a young girl and watching her cooking show on PBS; she and Julia were two of my favorites. I just bought one of her cookbooks this past summer at a bookfair and over the holidays I had some time off and I so enjoyed reading through it. I have post-it-notes all over it on the recipes I cannot wait to make. Thank you so much for sharing this personal relationship you had with this truly amazing and lovely lady.
Debbie she was one of a kind! And Nathalie’s recipes work.
Lovely remembrance, Anne. She will be missed. K
Thank you, Kay. Those were some hard working and crazy days. You were right there in the middle of it. Nathalie always admired your talents!
I was at that James beard dinner and ate your cake. It was so delicious! Especially the icing!
Thank you, Maria. I remember! What a fabulous night for Nathalie.
Thank you for sharing. Amazing woman and a fascinating life. Peace to you in your loss
Thank you Judith.
This is a lovely tribute to a woman who showed us “the joy of cooking.” Btw-I love your cookbook. It lives on my kitchen cabinet, but my husband recently ask that I put it on the shelf so that I wouldn’t use it everyday😊.
Thank you Toni! Nathalie was very much about the joy in cooking.
I'm sorry for your loss, Anne. Nathalie sounds lovely! Every young woman needs a mentor like this. And my goodness, meeting Julia and Paul Child . . .
Absolutely! Thank you Annette!
I loved watching her cook on television, and I have at least two of her cookbooks, which use often. She was wonderful.
Thank you, Stephanie. She elevated home cooking. Spoke frankly and from the heart, too.