James Beard: America's First Foodie

Today’s American food movement can be traced back to one man: James Beard.

See TV Schedule

James Beard: America's First Foodie American Masters

Premiered May 19, 2017

James Beard: America's First Foodie: asset-mezzanine-16x9

This video is unavailable in your area. Visit the PBS FAQ page for more information.

James Beard: America's First Foodie

Today’s American food movement can be traced back to one man: cookbook author, journalist, television celebrity and teacher James Beard.

More Ways to Watch

See TV Schedule

Episode Extras

Alice Waters recalls a party early in her friendship with James Beard.

Watch (01:18)

Clip

Alice Waters remembers her early friendship with James Beard

Chris Cosentino shares the surprising story of how he discovered James Beard's work.

Watch (01:11)

Clip

Chris Cosentino shares how he discovered James Beard's work

Caroline Stuart discovered a doll that was designed to look like James Beard.

Watch (01:28)

Clip

Discovered the doll designed to look like James Beard

James Beard played a key role in the very first food shows on television.

Watch (04:04)

Clip

Explore the advent of Food Television with James Beard

When sexuality was not openly discussed, James Beard was comfortable, honest and open.

Watch (02:39)

Clip

Insight into James Beard's life as a gay man

Executive Producer Michael Kantor comments on "A Chef's Flight."

Watch (01:00)

Clip

PBS Previews | American Masters presents A Chef's Flight

James Beard was one of the pioneers of clean cooking.

Watch (04:25)

Clip

How James Beard pioneered the farm-to-table movement

James Beard's mother was at the center of Portland's market culture.

Watch (03:00)

Clip

James Beard's mother was at the center of Portland's market.

Baltimore-based Pastry Chef Duff Goldman shares his first James Beard memory.

Watch (01:16)

Clip

Duff Goldman remembers his first James Beard recipe

James Beard began cooking and entertaining when his savings ran low as a young man.

Watch (01:31)

Clip

James Beard as a Gastronomic Gigolo

Today’s American food movement can be traced back to one man: James Beard.

Watch (01:30)

Preview

PBS Previews | James Beard: America's First Foodie

All Episodes

American Masters: Season 31

Patsy Cline: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Watch (01:45)

Patsy Cline

Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Watch (1:53:02)

Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise

By Sidney Lumet: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Watch (1:46:15)

By Sidney Lumet

Program Specials & Extras

Lily Tomlin speaks about her time on Laugh-In and how she developed her characters.

Watch (12:35)

Special

How Lily Tomlin found liberation in exploring her Laugh-In characters

Phyllis Diller reflects on how her comedy was a response to years of “take my wife” jokes.

Watch (11:35)

Special

How Phyllis Diller broke down the doors for female comics

Jeff Foxworthy discusses regionalism in comedy and why "redneck" is a state of mind.

Watch (15:41)

Special

Jeff Foxworthy on how every American might be a "redneck"

About the Program

American Masters

American Masters, committed to producing comprehensive film biographies about the broad cast of characters who comprise our cultural history.

Connect with American Masters