Thelma Pressman

Thelma Pressman, 89, passed away on August 10, 2010 in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Thelma was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 65 years, Morris ("Mo"); and son, Paul. She is survived by son, Rick of Lancaster, Calif.; three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Thelma Pressman was a pioneer in the microwave cooking field. In 1969, she founded the first U.S. microwave cooking school, The Microwave Cooking Center in Encino, Calif. The Microwave Cooking Center was used by the industry as a test kitchen to develop recipes, design cookware, evaluate and adjust products. Thelma served as Director of Consumer Education & Services for Sanyo Electric Co. from 1979 - 1987, where she worked directly with factory engineers on new product development, conducted seminars across the country and helped develop over 100 Cookbooks and Instruction Manuals for microwaves. Often referred to as "The Julia Child of Microwave Cooking," Thelma was the author of six published cookbooks herself, including The Art of Microwave Cooking and 365 Quick & Easy Microwave Recipes. She wrote a Monthly Microwave Column for Bon Appetit Magazine from 1978 - 1982 and authored hundreds of articles for newspapers and magazines nationwide. Thelma was a pioneer in cooking on television, as well, producing and hosting the live half-hour TV show "Fun Time Cooking." Thelma was very proud to be one of the founders of the Palm Springs Chapter of Les Dames d'Esoffier International, an invitational organization of women leaders in food, beverage and hospitality whose mission is education, advocacy and philanthropy. From 1991 - 2005, Thelma ran the very popular "Restaurant Tour of the Desert." She and her beloved husband, Mo, hosted weekly dinners from September through May to introduce locals and visitors to Coachella Valley's many fine restaurants. Attendance at the dinners ranged from 25 to over 100. Thelma was truly a legend with every chef from Palm Springs to La Quinta. A Memorial Service will be held at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, Calif. on Friday, August 20, 2010 at 11 AM followed by a family reception in Bermuda Dunes.