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Shirley Sarvis papers

Overview

Scope and Contents

Biographical Note

Administrative Information

Detailed Description

Wine and Food Pairing, Luncheons

Woman’s Day

Published and Unpublished Recipes

Entertaining

Tastings, Consultations

Julia Child

Sarvis Bio and Pictures

Personal Photos

Magazine Clippings

Magazine and Newspaper Clippings

Recipe Clippings

Dinner, Dessert Recipes and Wine

Europe and Mexico

First Trip to Europe

Trip to Europe

Personal Recipe Notes

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Contact us about this collection

Title: Shirley Sarvis papers, 1957-2007

Primary Creator: Sarvis, Shirley (February 21, 1935 - January 17, 2013)

Extent: 19.0 Boxes

Arrangement: The collection is organized into sixteen series: 1) Wine and Food Pairing, Luncheons; 2) Woman’s Day; 3) Published and Unpublished Recipes; 4) Entertaining; 5) Tastings, Consultations; 6) Julia Child; 7) Sarvis Bio and Pictures; 8) Personal Photos; 9) Magazine Clippings; 10) Magazine and Newspaper Clippings; 11) Recipe Clippings; 12) Dinner, Dessert Recipes and Wine; 13) Europe and Mexico; 14) First Trip to Europe; 15) Trip to Europe; 16) Personal Recipe Notes.

Languages: English

Shirley Sarvis papers reflect her professional career during the second half of the twentieth century, primarily dated 1960-2005. The collection contains her biography and several personal photos, including those from notable birthdays, family pictures, and some portraits. A large portion of the collection is made up of magazine, newspaper clippings, and other documentation in regards to wine tasting and food pairing – specifically focusing on California wines. Additionally, there are numerous recipes relating to Woman’s Day and entertaining in the home – some of which contain personal recipe notes from Sarvis. The collection also holds personal correspondence with friends, publishers, and prominent people in food and wine business, most notably with Julia and Paul Child. Series 13, 14, and 15 contain information and documentation from Sarvis’ trips to abroad, specifically Mexico and multiple trips to European countries.

Shirley Sarvis was born to George Vernon Sarvis and Wilhelmina Marie Koch Sarvis on February 21, 1935 in Norton, Kansas. Ms. Sarvis graduated from Norton Community High School and went on to Kansas State University to pursue a degree in home economics. After graduating in 1957, Ms. Sarvis moved to Menlo Park, California to begin her career as a food writer. Here, she worked for Sunset magazine from 1957 to 1962, then acted as a freelance food writer from 1962 until 2004, frequently writing for magazines like Woman's Day, Better Homes and Gardens, and Gourmet, among others. During this time, Sarvis gained notoriety as a talented pioneer in wine pairing, widely respected for her excellent palate. Over the years, she became friends with several well-known cooking icons, including James Beard, Julia Child, and Julia’s husband, Paul. Additionally, Ms. Sarvis published almost two dozen cookbooks, among them The Best of Scandinavian Cooking: Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish, Women’s Day Home Cooking Around the World, and Trader Vic’s Bartender’s Guide and taught classes on wine and food pairings.

Repository: Morse Department of Special Collections

Preferred Citation: Shirley Sarvis Papers, Morse Department of Special Collections, Hale Library, Kansas State University.