Italian baking expert Carol Field dies at 76

We have sad news to report, as Italian baking expert and cookbook author Carol Field died today after suffering a stroke, just weeks after losing her husband. The San Francisco-based author was instrumental in introducing food lovers in the U.S. to now commonplace Italian specialties like focaccia, ciabatta and biscotti. She also played a key role in the revival of artisan bread making. 

Her most popular cookbook, The Italian Baker: The Classic Tastes of the Italian Countryside, first published in 1985 and reissued in 2011, was a phenomenal success. It won an IACP Cookbook Award for best baking book, and  was also named to the James Beard Baker’s Dozen list of thirteen indispensable baking books. It has inspired countless professionals and home cooks alike.

Field traveled extensively through Italy, often knocking on bakery doors at night so she could glean recipes and techniques to share with others. In addition to her travels, she had a second home in Tuscany, and received many honors in her home-away-from-home, including being awarded the Knight in the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2004. She and her architect husband, John, were married for 56 years. He passed away just last month from cancer.