Last night a dream of mine was realized when I was inducted into the James Beard Foundation’s Who’s Who. It is special indeed to be recognized by your colleagues and I thank you all who voted for me.
We were not allowed to say a few words but, if they had, this is what I would have said:

When James Beard’s personal possessions were auctioned after his death my dear friend artist Maryjo Schwalbach Gitler bought his reading lamp and gave it to me. I have been reading and writing with that lamp ever since. This recognition will make it shine brighter.

I give thanks to my mother, my staff, the press who made my work known and my children who make me proud.