Ruth Reichl

(CHATHAM, N.Y.) – Ruth Reichl, renowned chef, editor, author, and restaurant critic, will speak at the next Brunch for Habitat at the Blue Plate on Sunday, April 3. The event, from 11:30 to 1, benefits the programs of Columbia County Habitat for Humanity.

Tickets are $40. Call Habitat at 518.828.0892 to make reservations, which are strongly suggested.
Ruth Reichl began writing about food in 1972, when she published “Mmmmm: A Feastiary.” Since then, she has authored the critically-acclaimed, best-selling memoirs “Tender at the Bone,” “Comfort Me with Apples,” “Garlic and Sapphires,” and “For You Mom, Finally.” Most recently, Reichl published a cookbook, “My Kitchen Year:  136 Recipes That Saved My Life.”

Reichl was editor-in-chief of Gourmet Magazine from 1999 to 2009.  Before that she was the restaurant critic of both the New York Times (1993-1999) and the Los Angeles Times (1984-1993), where she was also named food editor.
As co-owner of the Swallow Restaurant from 1974 to 1977, she played a part in the culinary revolution that took place in Berkeley, California. In the years that followed, she served as restaurant critic for New West and California magazines.

Reichl has also worked extensively in television; she served as the host of Eating Out Loud on the Food Network, the executive producer of Gourmet’s Diary of a Foodie, executive producer and host of Gourmet’s Adventures with Ruth and judge on Top Chef Masters.

Reichl has been honored with six James Beard Awards, among many other honors for her work in food media. She holds a B.A. and an M.A. in the History of Art from the University of Michigan, and lives in Columbia County with her husband, Michael Singer, a television news producer.
Columbia County Habitat was founded in 1993. Habitat volunteers build affordable, sustainable houses that are sold to lower-income working families with low-interest-mortgages. Habitat hopes to begin construction on its 19th home in late spring in Valatie. Habitat also expects to launch a new program, A Brush with Kindness, this spring. Volunteers will make exterior repairs or improvements, like ramps, to the houses of income-eligible homeowners.
Habitat also operates the ReStore, where savvy shoppers find new and gently-used furniture, kitchen and bath cabinets, appliances, building materials and more at discounted prices.  All ReStore proceeds support Habitat construction programs. Staffed almost entirely by volunteers, the ReStore is open from 10 to 6, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.