Alma Lach, a 1950's Culinary Pioneer from Chicago

In memory of Alma Lach

I was working on a memorial post yesterday when the news suddenly appeared that there was a much more timely memorial that I needed to write. The other could wait; considering the number of people who breathlessly said or tweeted that Charlie Trotter was the beginning of all food in Chicago, the first chef anyone knew by name from here, there wasn't really reason to worry that too many others would pick up on the Sun-Times's obituary for a woman whose career dated back to 1950s prehistory, a lost Atlantis of food media before Trotter was even born.

Embedded in Mike G's thoughts is a link to the Chicago Sun-Time's full obituary, which both are worthy reads.

I bought Alma Lach's book on French cooking when I was teenager. As I came to know the Chicago food community, I met a few people who were her friends. They had offered to introduce me, though they intimated she was rather shy. As much as I wanted to meet her, I was a bit intimidated by her and never followed through.

Her cookbook originally titled Cooking a la Cordon Bleu and renamed Hows and Whys of French Cooking were easier to work through than Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

Alma was quite enthralled with Asian cooking and was writing a Chinese cookbook. I will guess perfectionism kept this from being a finished product. I can only hope it is published posthumously.

Regards,

Hows and Whys of French Cooking was the first true French cookbook I owned. Since I got it nearly 40 years ago, I was surprised to learn that Alma Lach was still around until now. She might not be well known today, but she was tremendously well regarded back when I got her cookbook.

Enjoyed Mike G's article -- and the comment about everyone thinking food in Chicago started with Trotter resonated. Sic transit gloria -- how quickly people forget.

Hi,

I had another thought when Mike mentioned Trotter: Farah Fawcett dying close in time to Michael Jackson, his death overwhelming the news of hers.

Regards,

It would probably be a good policy to search the headlines anytime there is a BIG news item, to find out who is getting overlooked.