Library Lecture Draws High School Students

High school students from around Newport Beach spent part of their weekend at the library, talking to Ruth Reichl, award-winning journalist and cook.

Reichl spoke to the students as part of the 14th annual Martin W. Witte Distinguished Speakers Lecture Series, presented by the Newport Beach Public Library Foundation.

Reichl was the editor-in-chief of Gourmet magazine for 10 years until its closing in 2009. She also spent time as the restaurant critic of the the New York Times and both the restaurant critic and food editor of the Los Angeles Times. 

"We were sold out for both Friday and Saturday lectures.  She had a one-hour dialogue with local high school students," said Tracy Keys, executive director of the Newport Beach Library Foundation. "Several of them brought their own copies of Ruth Reichl’s books to be signed." 

Reichl began her writing career in 1972 with the book Mmmmm: A Feastiary, and went on to write the critically acclaimed, bestselling memoirs Tender at the Bone, Comfort Me with Apples, Garlic and Sapphires, and For You, Mom. Finally. Reichl is also the host and executive producer of Gourmet’s Adventures with Ruth and Gourmet’s Diary of a Foodie on public television and was  also the executive producer of Garlic and Sapphires, a movie based on her memoirs. 

Reichl has received six James Beard Awards, which recognize talent in the food and beverage industry, and several awards from the Association of American Food Journalists.