Eat like Eastman: A look at his daily diet and favorite recipes
By: Anna Grace Kneeland
Tags: History, Museums, Cooking, Food, Public History

George Eastman cooking over a fire, Alaska trip, ca. 1923. Negative, gelatin on nitrocellulose roll film. George Eastman Collection; Gift of Eastman Kodak Co.

“On several occasions, Mr. Eastman gave us an exhibition of his mastery of the cooking arts… I can see him in his shirt sleeves, a white apron tied around his waist, preparing a batch of dough, with the containers for the ingredients which he had carefully measured.” - Edward Harris on George Eastman, 1940.

George Eastman as we know him today was a man with many passions and hobbies. An inventor, a cyclist, a reader, an outdoormans, George Eastman was dedicated to everything he did.

What most people don’t know was Eastman’s enthusiasm for good food and his talents in cooking. His friends, in remembering him, often mention his specific eating habits and his skills at cooking.

“He boasted of being a good cook,” wrote friend Victoria Powers of his talents in the kitchen. “…I can vouch for his being a good cook. I never ate better beefsteak.”

Luckily for us, Eastman liked to detail his meals and cooking habits in his pocket journal and correspondence with friends and colleagues. In these details. Additionally, memories recorded from staff and friends also note his favorite meals and recipes. Through these letters and journal entries from our collection, we can get some insight into the daily eating habits of George Eastman. Inspired by these, we’ve created an Eastman-inspired meal plan for a single day.

Breakfast

“He started with half of the largest grapefruit that could be obtained. In winter, he had H.O. Oatmeal covered in thick cream, that came from his own Jersey and Guernsey cows… then he would have muffins — corn or bran or whatever might be prepared… He usually drank several large cups of coffee with cream.” -Marie Cherbuliez, 1940.

Not in the mood for oatmeal and a muffin? Try these Eastman-inspired breakfast foods.

Broiled Sweetbread on Toast

Coffee biscuits

Hickory Smoked bacon

Hashed Brown Potatoes

Lunch

“He never ate cake as a dessert for lunch, but he might have pie or pudding… When he was lunching alone, he would enjoy a tart apple, perhaps a Spitzenberg or McIntosh with salt on it.” -Marie Cherbuliez, 1940.

He also enjoyed these lunchtime choices:

Chicken

Cod Chowder

Pork chops or steak

Cornbread and fresh butter

Dinner

“He started dinner with soup. Then for the entree, his favorite meat was rare porterhouse steak, very thick, vegetables, and dessert. He often had a plain lettuce salad with french dressing… Sometimes he would have a slice of tomato on the lettuce or a slice of Bermuda onion, or ate green onions from his garden.” -Marie Cherbuliez, 1940.

Need other options, how about these?

Boiled Fish with Cheese Sauce

Potag Dauphine

Beef Steak

Wild Rice

Dessert

“A higher culinary accomplishment was Mr. Eastman’s ability to bake lemon meringue pie.” -Marie Cherbuliez, 1940.

Lemon Meringue Pie

Layered Jelly Cake

Midnight Snack

“Before he went to bed, he would relish another half grapefruit.” -Marie Cherbuliez, 1940.

Want to try making some of Eastman’s recipes?

Check out our website for his full cookbook and a look at our attempts to recreate his dishes.

End Notes: