Jan Weimer Papers
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
Copyright 2010
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla 92093-0175
spcoll@ucsd.edu
Descriptive Summary
Languages:
English
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla 92093-0175
Title: Jan Weimer Papers
Identifier/Call Number: MSS 0721
Physical Description:
6.6 Linear feet
(13 archives boxes, 2 card file boxes, 5 oversize folders)
Date (inclusive): 1974-2004
Abstract: Papers of Jan Weimer, former executive food editor of
Bon Appétit, author, food writer, and consultant. The collection dates from 1974 to 2004, and contains letters, drafts of articles, clippings,
tear sheets, awards, ephemera, and photographs, as well as video and audio recordings.
Biography
Jan Weimer, a graduate of the Paris Cordon Bleu, was a prolific food writer and well-known food consultant whose expertise
ranged from recipe and menu construction to kitchen layout and design. Weimer held the position of executive food editor
for
Bon Appétit from 1981 to 1989, as well as the positions of assistant food editor for the
San Francisco Chronicle; chief culinary officer of Chefstore.com; and consultant to Princess Cruises, Trefethen Winery, and numerous restaurants
and individuals. Throughout her career she worked with many prominent culinary figures including Julia Child, Simone Beck,
and Craig Claiborne.
In addition to writing hundreds of articles published in dozens of publications and co-authoring several books, Weimer authored
a definitive guide to home kitchen remodeling:
Kitchen Redos, Revamps, Remodels and Replacements: Without Murder, Madness, Suicide or Divorce, published in 1997. Weimer also chaired numerous panels and conferences and was instrumental in starting the Los Angeles
chapter of the American Institute of Wine and Food (AIWF). She received awards and recognitions for her writing and work
in the culinary world, among them the International Journalism Contest "Maria Luigia Duchessa di Parma" Prize and best paper
at the 1999 Appliance Manufacturer Conference and Expo, a rare achievement for a woman and non-engineer.
Weimer died April 13, 2007.
Scope and Content
The Jan Weimer Papers comprise materials documenting her career as a writer, consultant, and leader in the food industry.
The collection includes personal and professional correspondence, typed drafts and published copies of Weimer's writings,
and video and audio cassettes of media appearances and interviews. The papers are arranged in six series: 1) CORRESPONDENCE,
2) WRITINGS AND RESEARCH, 3) PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES, 4) BIOGRAPHICAL, 5) RESTAURANT MENUS, and 6) AUDIOVISUAL MATERIAL.
Series 1: CORRESPONDENCE
The CORRESPONDENCE series, arranged alphabetically, contains letters from Julia Child, Simone Beck, M.F.K. Fisher, and Craig
Claiborne, among other prominent culinary figures.
Series 2: WRITINGS AND RESEARCH
The WRITINGS AND RESEARCH series is arranged in three subseries: A) Articles and Recipes, B) Books, and C) Notes.
A) The Articles and Recipes subseries includes both clippings and typescripts of Weimer's articles that appeared in publications
including
Bon Appétit,
Cuisine,
Food and Wine, and the
San Francisco Chronicle.
B) The Books subseries includes correspondence, reviews, and clippings relating to both
Kitchen Redos, Revamps, Remodels, and Replacements and
Michael Richard's Home Cooking with a French Accent, which she co-authored. There are also publicity photos, contact sheets, and negatives from
Kitchen Redos.
C) The Notes subseries includes a notebook with Weimer's handwritten notes and a scrapbook, maintained in original order,
of annotated research materials and handwritten notes.
Series 3: PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
The PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES series is arranged in four subseries: A) Consulting, B) Events and Conferences, C) Speeches, and
D) Media Appearances.
A) The Consulting subseries comprises writings and correspondence relating to her consulting work for companies including
Princess Cruises, Trefethen Vineyards, and the Cook'Stop project.
B) The Events and Conferences subseries is arranged chronologically by event date and documents Weimer's involvement in conferences
like the AIWF Annual Conference, Celebrities Cook for the UCSD Cancer Center, and the International Food Media Conference.
C) The Speeches subseries is arranged chronologically and includes typed and handwritten speech notes.
D) The Media Appearances subseries includes correspondence and transcripts from Weimer's guest appearances on television and
radio news, food, and lifestyle shows.
Series 4: BIOGRAPHICAL
The BIOGRAPHICAL series includes newspaper clippings, awards won by Weimer, portrait prints, negatives and contact sheets,
and Weimer's well-used, autographed copy of
Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child.
Series 5: RESTAURANT MENUS
The RESTAURANT MENUS series includes six folders of menus and one flat box of oversized menus from restaurants all over the
world. Some have Weimer's handwritten notes on them.
Series 6: AUDIOVISUAL MATERIAL
The Video Cassettes subseries is arranged according to format: A) VHS and B) U-Matic, a precursor to the VHS video format.
They include Weimer's appearances on television news and lifestyle shows.
The Audio Cassettes subseries includes 43 audio cassette recordings of Weimer's radio show appearances, conference panels,
and interviews.
Access
Master audio and video cassette recordings in Series 6: Audio-Visual Materials are restricted. Researchers must request user
copies be produced.
Publication Rights
Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.
Acquisition Information
Acquired 2010.
Preferred Citation
Jan Weimer Papers, MSS 721. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Periodical editors
Cookery
Weimer, Jan -- Archives
Beck, Simone, 1904-1991 -- Correspondence
Child, Julia -- Correspondence
Fisher, M. F. K. (Mary Frances Kennedy), 1908-1992 -- Correspondence
Claiborne, Craig -- Correspondence
Box 1, Folder 6
Claiborne, Craig
1977-1989
Box 1, Folder 12
Troisgros, Jean
1977-1978
Box 1, Folder 19
Regarding
San Francisco Chronicle articles
1976-1977
Box 1, Folder 21
Partial bibliography
1974-1977
Box 2, Folder 1
Bon Appétit Basics
1980-1981
Box 2, Folder 2
"The Book Review" - Column in
The Sausalito Revue
1978-1981
Box 2, Folder 6
Metropolitan Home
1994-1998
Box 2, Folder 7-9
San Francisco Chronicle
1974-1977
Kitchen Redos, Revamps, Remodels, and Replacements
Box 5, Folder 1
Publicity photos and contact sheets
Box 5, Folder 3-4
Michael Richard's Home Cooking with a French Accent
1991-1994
Box 5, Folder 9
Miscellaneous notes
undated
Box 6, Folder 1
Trefethen Vineyards
1988-1991
Box 6, Folder 4
Princess Cruises
1995-1996
Box 6, Folder 6
Crustacean Restaurant
2001
Box 6, Folder 7
Cocolat newsletters
undated
Box 6, Folder 8
Miscellaneous consulting
1991-1996
Box 6, Folder 10, Oversize FB-494-01
Box 8, Folder 7
Miscellaneous media
1984-1999
Box 8, Folder 9-10
Newspaper clippings
1977-1989
Box 9, Folder 1
Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child - Jan Weimer's personal copy
Box 9, Folder 2
Portrait prints, negatives and contact sheets
Box 10, Folder 4, Oversize FB-494- 02-05
Box 10, Folder 5-6
1985 - 1997
Conditions Governing Access
Restrictions Apply
Box 11, Folder 1
1998 - 1999
Conditions Governing Access
Restrictions Apply
Box 11, Folder 2-4
Undated
Conditions Governing Access
Restrictions Apply
Box 12, Folder 1
Undated
Conditions Governing Access
Restrictions Apply
Box 12, Folder 2-3
1979 - 1985
Conditions Governing Access
Restrictions Apply
Box 13, Folder 1
1986
Conditions Governing Access
Restrictions Apply
Box 13, Folder 2-3
Undated
Conditions Governing Access
Restrictions Apply
Box 14, Folder 1-20
1980-1994
Conditions Governing Access
Restrictions Apply
Box 15, Folder 1-2
1997-1998
Conditions Governing Access
Restrictions Apply
Box 15, Folder 3-8
Undated
Conditions Governing Access
Restrictions Apply
Box 15, Folder 9-23
Paul Wallach Show
1984-1988
Conditions Governing Access
Restrictions Apply
