Loyd Grossman

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Loyd Grossman bigraphy, stories - American journalist

Loyd Grossman : biography

16 September 1950 –

Loyd Daniel Gilman Grossman, OBE, FSA (born 16 September 1950) is an American-British television presenter, gastronome and musician who has mainly worked in the United Kingdom. He is currently a judge on ITV Food series Food Glorious Food

Early life and education

Grossman was born in Marblehead, Massachusetts on 16 September 1950, the son of David K. Grossman and Helen Katherine (née Gilman).”, Who’s Who 2012, A & C Black, 2012; online edn, Oxford University Press, Dec 2011. Accessed 21 June 2012. His father was Jewish and worked as an antiques dealer. His initial education was at the General John Glover School in Marblehead, and then at Marblehead High School. He graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history before going to the United Kingdom in 1975 to study at the London School of Economics where he received a Masters in economic history.

Awards and honours

In 1996, Grossman was awarded a Glenfiddich Food and Drink Award for his involvement in the MasterChef television series. He was awarded an OBE in 2003. Grossman is a member of the Council and the Court of Governors at the London School of Economics. He became a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London in 2003. On 9 November 2007, he became an Honorary Graduand of the University of Chester where he was presented for admission to the degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa. In September 2008 he took up a place at Magdalene College, Cambridge, to read for a Master’s degree in History of Art. He was granted armorial bearings by letters patent of the English College of Arms on 5 March 2004. In 2011 the University of Lincoln awarded him an honorary Doctor of Arts degree in recognition of his contribution to the cultural heritage sector. ”, Who’s Who 2012, A & C Black, 2012; online edn, Oxford University Press, Dec 2011. Accessed 5 February 2013.

Personal life

He was married to Deborah Puttnam, the daughter of the movie producer David Puttnam, and has two daughters. The couple divorced in 2004. His interests include scuba diving (in which he is a PADI-qualified Divemaster), tennis, chess, fishing and music. He is also a fan of the Boston Red Sox. He is a member of a few private members’ clubs, including Brooks’s, the Hurlingham Club and the Chelsea Arts Club.

His Mid-Atlantic accent reflects his Boston origins as well as the many years he has spent in the UK. It is often the subject of parody including in ads for his own sauces, where home cooks imitate his speech as they use sauces that are promoted as having a "distinctive voice."

He was parodied by Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer in The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer in a Masterchef sketch. His accent was also extensively imitated by Rob Brydon in the BBC 2 series, The Trip.

Publications

  • The Social History of Rock Music (1975)
  • Harpers and Queen Guide to London’s 100 Best Restaurants (1987)
  • The Dog’s Tale (1993)
  • Loyd Grossman’s Italian Journey (1994)
  • Courvoisier’s Book of the Best (1994–96) – as editor
  • The World on a Plate (1997)
  • The 125 Best Recipes Ever (1998)
  • Foodstuff (2002)

Career

Music

Grossman had a short-lived career as a singer with punk band Jet Bronx And The Forbidden, who reached number 49 in the UK singles chart in December 1977 with "Ain’t Doin’ Nothing". He returned to playing music in 2008. Following a guest appearance playing "Ain’t Doin Nothin" with the Pork Dukes at the Vienna Rebellion punk festival on 27 April 2008, he played with his new band Jet Bronx and the New Forbidden at the 2008 Rebellion Festival in Blackpool.

Restaurant critic

Grossman became a restaurant reviewer for Harpers & Queen and The Sunday Times.

Television career

Grossman’s television début came in April 1987, as a roving presenter for Through the Keyhole, a programme examining the homes of the famous. Before leaving in 2003, Grossman made almost 400 appearances on the programme. In July 1990, he became the first presenter of MasterChef, which he presented for 10 years (apart from a year off), also fronting the children’s version from 1995 until 1999. Other programmes include the History of British Sculpture (2003), and cookery show Step up to the Plate (2008) with Anton du Beke in which three amateur chefs competed against two professionals to produce the best three-course meal.