Jane Stern

Jane Grossman Stern and Michael Stern, born in 1946, are American authors recognized for their extensive contributions to literature focusing on travel, food, and popular culture. They are particularly celebrated for their "Roadfood" series, which meticulously documents and reviews roadside eateries offering traditional American regional dishes. Their groundbreaking work in the early 1970s elevated the perception of such food, treating it with the same critical regard as international haute cuisine. Jane earned degrees in graphic design and painting from Pratt Institute and Yale University, respectively, while Michael studied at the University of Michigan and later earned an MFA in film from Columbia University. Despite initial careers in fields like documentary production and college teaching, they pivoted to their passion for American food.

Their journey into food writing began with an advance for a book on "truck-stop dining," leading them to travel extensively across the United States. This research culminated in the first "Roadfood" book, published in 1977, with subsequent editions continuing for decades. Beyond their culinary explorations, the Sterns have authored numerous books on American popular culture, including bestsellers like "Elvis World" and "The Encyclopaedia of Bad Taste." Their prolific careers have spanned 18 years as staff writers for "Gourmet" magazine and contributions to prestigious publications such as "The New Yorker" and "The Atlantic Monthly." They are also contributing editors at "Saveur" and frequent guests on "The Splendid Table" radio program. Their achievements have been recognized with numerous awards, including James Beard awards, and induction into the "Who's Who of Food and Beverage in America."

Jane Grossman Stern was raised in New York City, attending the Walden School and later earning a BFA in graphic design from Pratt Institute. Michael Stern's upbringing was in Winnetka, Illinois, and he graduated from the University of Michigan. Their paths converged as graduate students in art at Yale University, where their shared interest in food was evident from their first date at Pepe's Pizza. They married in 1970. Jane completed her MFA in painting at Yale the following year, while Michael obtained his MFA in film from Columbia University. Neither pursued careers directly in their graduate fields.

After brief forays into documentary production and teaching at Hunter College and Wesleyan University, the Sterns embarked on their seminal project. Initially conceived as a book about "truck-stop dining" funded by a publisher's advance, their research involved extensive travel across the United States, sampling numerous meals daily at diners and local cafes. This endeavor resulted in the first edition of "Roadfood" in 1977, a work that redefined the appreciation of regional American roadside cuisine. Their approach was novel, treating this food with the same seriousness as high-end international gastronomy. The "Roadfood" series has continued to be updated, with the most recent edition appearing in 2017.

In addition to their focus on food, the Sterns have explored American popular culture in their writing, producing over 30 books. Notable titles include the New York Times bestseller "Elvis World" (1987) and "The Encyclopaedia of Bad Taste" (1990). They were long-term staff writers for "Gourmet" magazine for 18 years and have contributed to "The New Yorker" and "The Atlantic Monthly." Currently, they serve as contributing editors for "Saveur." Jane Stern also published a personal memoir, "Ambulance Girl" (2003), detailing her experience overcoming severe depression by becoming an EMT, which was later adapted into a television movie. They also co-authored a joint memoir, "Two for the Road: Our Love Affair With American Food" (2006).

The Sterns' influence extends to broadcast media, with regular appearances on American Public Media's "The Splendid Table." Their work has garnered significant recognition, including James Beard awards, and they were inducted into the "Who's Who of Food and Beverage in America" in 1992. They founded Roadfood.com, which was sold in 2016, though they continued to oversee its editorial content. Despite their divorce in 2008, they continue to collaborate professionally. In 2011, they released "The Lexicon of Real American Food," and Jane Stern also published "Confessions of a Tarot Reader," reflecting a lesser-known aspect of her career.