Art Ginsburg: The Original Mr. Food
Reader inquiries sometimes stir memories of past television personalities. Recently, Mrs. Charles Lowery of Homewood inquired about Mr. Food. This iconic character, portrayed by Art Ginsburg, made cooking seem approachable with his enthusiastic segments. Ginsburg, known for his bearded and apron-clad appearance, passed away at 81 nearly 15 years ago. He battled cancer, achieving remission after intensive treatments.
Mr. Food’s segments were a familiar sight on ABC-WLS Channel 7 during the midday bulletins in Chicago. However, the channel ceased airing these segments following Ginsburg’s death in November 2012. His tagline, “Ooh! It’s so good!”, was a registered trademark.
The Rise of Mr. Food
The Mr. Food segments began locally on the East Coast in 1975. They later reached a peak through King World distribution, which handled shows like “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and “Wheel of Fortune.” Ginsburg’s culinary roots stem from his early days as a butcher in New York. With a family background in butcher shops, he honed his skills in Jewish cuisine alongside his mother and aunt.
Beyond television, Ginsburg authored 52 cookbooks, selling over 8 million copies. Married to his wife Ethel since 1955, and a father of three, Ginsburg strove to maintain a low profile, steering clear of the excessive fame drawn by other culinary celebrities.
Mr. Food’s Influence and Legacy
Though I never met Ginsburg, my colleague Eloise Valadez found him to be a delightful interviewee. He visited The Daily Southtown newsroom for cooking demos and interviews. Ginsburg would have turned 95 this July.
In his later years, he reduced his involvement with Ginsburg Enterprises Incorporated. His son Steve continued the business, alongside ventures in publishing and housewares. The company then introduced a new segment, the “Mr. Food Test Kitchen,” featuring producer Howard Rosenthal.
The Continuation: Mr. Food Test Kitchen
This month, during a visit to my parents, I heard that memorable phrase: “Ooh! It’s so good!”. It was Rosenthal showcasing the “Mr. Food Test Kitchen” segment. Broadcasting on over 120 stations and reaching more than 2 million viewers, this series carries forward the Mr. Food legacy.
For Mrs. Lowery and others interested, local broadcast details can be found at www.MrFood.com using your zip code. A recent feature was the “Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad,” a light and flavorful dish ideal for summer menus.
Mr. Food’s Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad Recipe
Makes 10 servings:
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 6 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 3/4 cup sweet pickle relish, drained well
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Paprika for sprinkling
Directions:
- In a large pot of boiling water, cook macaroni for 7 to 9 minutes until tender. Drain, rinse, and cool.
- Combine macaroni with remaining ingredients, except paprika, in a large bowl and mix well.
- Sprinkle with paprika, cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.
For more queries, contact Philip Potempa at [email protected] or mail to: From the Farm, PO Box 68, San Pierre, Ind. 46374.