Background
Gil Marks was born on May 30, 1952 in Charleston, Kanawha Country, West Virginia, United States. He was the son of Harold and Beverly Marks. He had two sisters and two brothers.
New York City, New York, United States
Gil Marks graduated from the Yeshiva University with a Master of Arts degree in Jewish History and a Master of Social Work degree.
Food Historian Gil Marks making Hungarian Fruit & Wine Soup at the 2010 Food Conference.
Gil Marks, holding his book "Encyclopedia of Jewish Food"
Gil Marks with his mother, Beverly, who, according to family lore, was the reason he became interested in cooking, photo by Elli Schorr
Gil Marks demonstrating how to make Chanukah sufganiyot at the bat mitzvah party of his grand-niece Meira Schorr in Israel, December 2013.
(This book designed to be the cornerstone of every Jewish ...)
This book designed to be the cornerstone of every Jewish kitchen, a substantial collection of kosher recipes from two dozen communities around the world also includes holiday dishes and lore about the history of Jewish food throughout the ages.
https://www.amazon.com/World-Jewish-Cooking-Delectable-Communities/dp/0684824914/?tag=2022091-20
1996
(A rabbi, gourmet chef, and Jewish historian rolled into o...)
A rabbi, gourmet chef, and Jewish historian rolled into one presents readers with not only a delicious selection of both traditional and more inventive kosher recipes, but also information on the historical and religious context of each dish.
https://www.amazon.com/World-Jewish-Entertaining-Holidays-Celebrations/dp/0684847884/?tag=2022091-20
1998
(Brimming with information from Jewish communities spannin...)
Brimming with information from Jewish communities spanning the globe, this collection of more than three hundred desserts includes recipes for phyllo, strudel, cookies, cakes, and Passover sweets, among many other delicious treats.
https://www.amazon.com/World-Jewish-Desserts-Delectable-Communities/dp/0684870037/?tag=2022091-20
2000
(Traditions of Jewish vegetarian cooking span three millen...)
Traditions of Jewish vegetarian cooking span three millennia and the extraordinary geographical breadth of the Jewish diaspora — from Persia to Ethiopia, Romania to France. Acclaimed Judaic cooking expert, chef, and rabbi Gil Marks uncovers this vibrant culinary heritage for home cooks. Olive Trees and Honey is a magnificent treasury shedding light on the truly international palette of Jewish vegetarian cooking, with 300 recipes for soups, salads, grains, pastas, legumes, vegetable stews, egg dishes, savory pastries, and more.
https://www.amazon.com/Olive-Trees-Honey-Vegetarian-Communities/dp/0764544136/?tag=2022091-20
2004
(Food is more than just sustenance. It's a reflection of a...)
Food is more than just sustenance. It's a reflection of a community's history, culture, and values. From India to Israel to the United States and everywhere in between, Jewish food appears in many different forms and variations, but all related in its fulfillment of kosher laws, Jewish rituals, and holiday traditions. The Encyclopedia of Jewish Food explores both unique cultural culinary traditions as well as those that unite the Jewish people. The Encyclopedia of Jewish Food is an informative and eye-opening guide to the culinary heart and soul of the Jewish people.
https://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Jewish-Food-Gil-Marks/dp/0470391308/?tag=2022091-20
2010
Gil Marks was born on May 30, 1952 in Charleston, Kanawha Country, West Virginia, United States. He was the son of Harold and Beverly Marks. He had two sisters and two brothers.
Gil Marks attended Talmudical Academy in Baltimore before studying Jewish History at Yeshiva University in New York. He graduated with a Master of Arts degree in Jewish History and a Master of Social Work degree, and his rabbinical ordination. Marks was also a a self-taught chef.
In 1986 Gil Marks combined his interests in food, history, and writing to become the founding editor of Kosher Gourmet, a position he held for six years. Then he turned his attention to writing fiction as well as continuing his work on culinary subjects. He had also acted as a consultant for various organizations and given cooking classes throughout much of the United States, including Macy’s DeGustibus cooking school. He published his first cookbook "The World of Jewish Cooking: More Than 500 Traditional Recipes from Alsace to Yemen" four years later.
Gil also wrote about the history of American cakes for ToriAvey.com, revealing the history and culture of the United States through its classic treat. He served as a guest lecturer at the Culinary Institute of America, Hazon, the New York Public Library, and the Roger Smith Cookbook Conference. Marks acted as consultant for various companies and organizations. He also gave presentations throughout the world.
Although he was a long-standing resident of New York, towards the end of his life Marks moved to Israel, settling near his family in Alon Shvut, a settlement south-west of Jerusalem. He became an Israeli citizen in 2012, the year he was diagnosed with lung cancer. He continued to write an online column on confectionery and teach cooking classes to local children until shortly before his death on December 5, 2014.
(This book designed to be the cornerstone of every Jewish ...)
1996(A rabbi, gourmet chef, and Jewish historian rolled into o...)
1998(Brimming with information from Jewish communities spannin...)
2000(Traditions of Jewish vegetarian cooking span three millen...)
2004(Food is more than just sustenance. It's a reflection of a...)
2010
Quotations:
"Food is sort of like the Jewish sense of humor, a defense mechanism. It is one of the things that helped the Jews survive through 2,000 years of an often very harsh Diaspora."
"One of the keys to Jewish culinary history is that the Jewish role was not so much innovation but transition and transformation."
"Judaism is not just a religion but a people, and the food and customs of one part of the people is connected to the other part of the people. They are part of a larger story."
Gil Marks himself had a sweet tooth.
Gil Marks was unmarried.