Janice Bluestein Longone was an antiquarian bookseller whose collection of tens of thousands of American cookbooks provided an archive of the nation’s culinary history.
- Died: August 3, 2022 (Who else died on August 3?)
- Details of death: Died at a nursing home in Ann Arbor, Michigan of congestive heart failure at the age of 89.
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The foods that shaped America
Longone began collecting cookbooks as a hobby, but as her collection grew, she opened a bookstore. The Wine and Food Library, established in 1972 in her home in Ann Arbor, became a comprehensive source for American cookbooks dating as far back as the 18th century. Longone’s collection included some of the rarest cookbooks to exist, such as the sole surviving copy of the 1866 volume “A Domestic Cook Book,” the first known cookbook by a Black author in the U.S. The knowledge of American culinary history Longone gained from her collection made her a go-to source for chefs seeking authenticity as they recreated classic recipes. She was consulted by celebrity foodies from James Beard to Julia Child to Rick Bayless. Longone also used her culinary knowledge to write a column for Gastronomica and contribute to “The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America.” She was a founder and board member of the American Institute of Wine & Food.
Notable quote
“I grew up in a household where I knew the importance of food and the importance of sharing it with people and sitting around a table and talking — whether you were 3 years old or 93.” —from an interview for the New Orleans Times-Picayune
Tributes to Janice Bluestein Longone
Full obituary: The Detroit News
