Date of Birth: March 23, 1857
Zodiac Sign: Aries
Date of Death: January 15, 1915
Biography
Fannie Merritt Farmer was an influential American culinary expert, born on March 23, 1857, in Boston, Massachusetts. She is often credited with revolutionizing the way Americans cook and think about food, primarily through her emphasis on standardized measurements in recipes. As the oldest of four daughters, Farmer’s early life was marked by a strong emphasis on education, but her plans were interrupted by a paralytic stroke at the age of 16, which left her temporarily unable to walk. During her recovery, she developed an interest in cooking. Farmer enrolled in the Boston Cooking School in 1887, where she excelled and later became the principal. In 1896, she published “The Boston Cooking-School Cook Book,” which became a seminal work in American culinary literature. The book introduced precise measurements and standardized recipes, making cooking more accessible to the average home cook. Farmer continued to write and teach about cooking until her death in 1915. Her work laid the foundation for modern American cookery and her influence is still felt in kitchens across the country.
5 Interesting Facts about Fannie Farmer
1. Fannie Farmer is often referred to as the “Mother of Level Measurements” for her insistence on precise measurements in cooking.
2. Despite being partially paralyzed, she went on to become the principal of the Boston Cooking School.
3. Her book, “The Boston Cooking-School Cook Book,” has never been out of print since its initial publication in 1896.
4. She opened her own cooking school, Miss Farmer’s School of Cookery, in 1902.
5. Fannie Farmer’s recipes and techniques laid the groundwork for modern home economics and culinary arts education.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Fannie Farmer
1. “Progress in civilization has been accompanied by progress in cookery.”
2. “The way to a rich and varied life is through good food.”
3. “Cooking is an art, but all art requires knowing something about the techniques and materials.”
4. “It is a scientific fact that the body will not absorb cholesterol if you take it from another person’s plate.”
5. “A recipe is only a theme, which an intelligent cook can play each time with a variation.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Fannie Farmer’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but her influence and legacy in the culinary world are invaluable.
Children
Fannie Farmer did not have any children.
Relevant Links
2. [Fannie Farmer – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fannie_Farmer
3. [Fannie Farmer – Food Network](https://www.foodnetwork.com/fannie-farmer
4. [The Boston Cooking-School Cook Book – Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/pg145
