'Frugal Gourmet' Chef Jeff Smith Dies

[WDWLVR]

Jeff Smith, a white-bearded minister who became public television's popular "Frugal Gourmet" , has died, his business manager said Friday. He was 65.

I used to love watching him on PBS


Jeff Smith

 

[stauncie]

awwww, he will be missed.

 

[kpgclark]

I also remember hearing that he was involved in molesting children.

 

[buzzlady]

I remember watching him. I also liked his show.

 

[chell]

That is so sad. I've watched his show my whole life. He's the reason I love to cook.

 

[Towncrier]

DW Sue and I used to watch his show on PBS religiously. No pun intended. I have most of his cookbooks and used to bake a lot of bread according to those cookbooks. He will be missed.

 

[kpgclark]

But in 1997, seven men filed a lawsuit alleging they had been sexually abused by Smith as youths. Six said the abuse occurred while they worked for him at the Chaplain's Pantry, a restaurant he operated in Tacoma in the 1970s. The seventh alleged Smith abused him after picking him up as a hitchhiker in 1992.

Smith was soon off the air.

Smith denied the allegations and was never charged with a crime. He and his insurance companies paid an undisclosed sum to settle the lawsuit.

 

[monkeyboy]

 

[adamak]

I'm so sorry. I'm still waiting to hear him explain what happened. He just disappeared after the allegation. How sad if the allegation is false and it just ruined his life. On the other hand...

Until I know the truth, I think he's still the best chef on TV ever. His cookbook is by far the best.

 

[kpgclark]

Well, he paid several million to settle the suit. Do you think innocent men do that? Also there were 7 different people who filed suit. If I was innocent I'd prove it in court before I'd pay off "liars".

 

[Pin Wizard]

I used to love watching the Frugal Gourmet!

 

[aesalsa]

Originally posted by Pin Wizard
I used to love watching the Frugal Gourmet!

Me too!

 

[Dan Murphy]

It was a good show. I enjoyed watching it every so often, and I am not one to watch cooking shows, LOL. He'll be missed, rest his soul.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I don't remember where I read/heard this but it was common knowledge that the boy "helpers" on his shows were his "boy toys".
I didn't hear about the abuse of the other vicitms. Sad...

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

His shows were a favorite of mine for a long time. I have several of his cookbooks and as well as enjoying the recipes, I like the way he writes!

I'd heard the allegations and recognized that he disappeared soon after that. I don't know the truth, but I do know the man is dead. Peace to his soul.

 

[Michelina]

That is sad. The Frugal Gourmet was my favorite cooking show and I loved his cookbooks, they were so educational! I always hoped that he would make a comeback...

 

[wishuponastarforever]

Originally posted by kpgclark
Well, he paid several million to settle the suit. Do you think innocent men do that? Also there were 7 different people who filed suit. If I was innocent I'd prove it in court before I'd pay off "liars".

I believed that once - until I knew of a case where I knew the person was innocent - Sometimes people plea or pay off to make it go away for reasons other than guilt - our judicial system is not black and white. If only it were as fair as we are led to believe.
Sometimes right or wrong is not the issue - it's win or lose at the cost of innocent people.

 

[Goofymum]

He is also the reason I love to cook. I remember watching him every Saturday afternoon with my grandma.

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

My husband and I used to watch his show all the time. He lectured here some years ago and we attended. He signed cookbooks and we very nice, speaking to everyone on the line.

I heard about the allegations and while I have no idea if they were true or not, I liked him as a television chef. I miss his show.

 

[Micca]

I used to enjoy seeing him cook. He seemed like he genuinely loved to show people how to make great dishes.