 jeffrey l. "jeff" smith (january 22, 1939 â july 7, 2004) was the author of several best-selling cookbooks and the host of the frugal gourmet, a popular american cooking show which began in tacoma, washington in 1973 and later moved to wttw in chicago, where it aired nationally on pbs from 1983 to 1997. ==early life== smith was born on january 22, 1939. he graduated from the university of puget sound (ups) in tacoma, washington with a degree in philosophy and sociology in 1962, and then, in 1965, from drew university theological school in new jersey, which ordained him a minister in the united methodist church. he served as a chaplain at ups, then opened the chaplain's pantry, a deli and kitchen supply store in tacoma, where he also offered cooking classes to the public. ==personal life== smith met his wife, patricia, when he was a graduate theology student and she a senior sociology major at drew university. they married in 1966 and had two sons. patricia is credited with originating the name "frugal gourmet". ==career== smith launched his first cooking show in 1973 at ktps in tacoma. following a move to wttw in chicago in 1983, he became the frugal gourmet and gained national recognition. the show ran on pbs for 14 years, a total of 261 episodes. smith was known for his ability to film his shows straight through, without pauses or re-shoots to correct mistakes. over the course of his career he published numerous best-selling cookbooks, including the frugal gourmet (1984), the frugal gourmet cooks with wine (1986), the frugal gourmet cooks american (1987), the frugal gourmet cooks three ancient cuisines: china, greece, and rome (1989),the frugal gourmet on our immigrant ancestors: recipes you sh
1939_births 2004_deaths American_Methodists American_chefs American_food_writers American_television_chefs Cardiovascular_disease_deaths_in_Washington_(state) Drew_University_alumni People_from_Tacoma,_Washington University_of_Puget_Sound_alumni