The Frugal Gourmet was a cooking show that aired on PBS from 1988 to 1997. Each show focused on different regional American, immigrant American, or world cuisine. The show was noted for devoting the opening segment to the history of the cuisine and dishes to be presented in the episode.

The host of this show was Jeff Smith, a United Methodist minister, and author of a dozen cookbooks. Known affectionately as "The Frug", he asserted that "frugal" gourmet cooking does not mean "cheap", but choosing your ingredients and using your resources efficiently.

The show became the highest-rated cooking show ever produced. Its opening and closing theme music is the Boureé from Handel's Water Music Suites.

The show was cancelled in 1997, following a controversy involving charges of sexual harassment by seven men against Smith. However, the case was settled out of court."Cooking star pays plaintiffs in sexual abuse suits" by Steve Behrens, Current.org, July 27, 1998

External links

• Evaluation of The Frugal Gourmet at Jumptheshark.com

Notes