After decades of celebrating good food and good produce, Mr. Food has died.
Struck by pancreatic cancer, the 81-year old Art Ginsburg died Nov. 21 in Weston, Fla.
Known for his tagline “Oooh, it is so good!” exclamation at the end of each segment and his signature white chef’s cap and apron, Ginsburg was familiar to many Americans. Mr. Food’s 90-second television vignettes first appeared in 1980 and were syndicated on 168 stations by 2007. The segments were still carried on 125 television stations this year, according to a report in The Washington Post. Ginsburg Enterprises, founded by Ginsburg, also produces the “Mr. Food Test Kitchen” and the company indicates it will continue producing those segments without Ginsburg, according to the report in The Washington Post.
Art Ginsburg The work ethic and the warm personality of Ginsburg were admirable, said Bob Corey, chief executive officer and sales manager of Corey Bros. Inc., Charleston, W.Va. Corey was a television personality in his own right, hosting “The Produce Corner” from 1982 to 2005, Corey said he had a chance to occasionally work with and travel with Ginsburg.
“He had great longevity and he was good at what he did. You don’t see that everyday,” Corey said. “It is a true loss.”
Mark Arney, executive director of the National Watermelon Promotion Board, Orlando, Fla., called Ginsburg a friend and great supporter of the watermelon industry through the years.
“We will miss him,” Arney said in an e-mail.
Ginsburg’s “Mr. Food” website said memorial messages and memories about Mr. Food can be sent to memorial@mrfood.com.
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