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Judy O’Daniel sits in her kitchen where many of the ideas for Times-Journal column, Country Gourmet, have come about.

Country Gourmet celebrates 30 years

By Jared Felkins
The Times-Journal

Published November 17, 2009

Want to know the history of the pretzel? How about a way to make that pecan pie extra special?

For 30 years, Judy O’Daniel has been doing that and more in her weekly column, Country Gourmet, in the Times-Journal. Filled with recipes and lead-ins that have left readers more informed about food and cooking, O’Daniel said her column has been a pleasure to write.

“We couldn't be more pleased to congratulate Judy on her 30th anniversary with the Times-Journal,” said Times-Journal editor and publisher J.D. Davidson. “She has built a loyal following and has played a key role in allowing the Times-Journal to be part of each family throughout Fort Payne and DeKalb County. This is a special day for the Times-Journal and its readers. But, more importantly, this is a special day for Judy, who is a true DeKalb County treasure."

But O’Daniel said she wasn’t born with the gift of cooking. Now at 66, she said the first years of marriage were filled with trial and error.

“I’ve come a long way since I got married in 1965, because at that time I couldn’t cook,” O’Daniel said.

O’Daniel said she and her husband, Curtis, moved to Fort Payne in March 1978 when Curtis was named the DeKalb County agent coordinator with the Auburn University Extension Service. She said about the same time, Larry Taylor moved to Fort Payne to be the editor and publisher of the Times-Journal.

“They got to know each other,” O’Daniel said. “Evidently Curtis told Larry, ‘my wife is a pretty good cook.’ They just wanted someone who would give them something people could fix for their families.”

So on Aug. 8, 1979, O’Daniel’s first column appeared in the Times-Journal. The subject was cabbage.

“That’s how I got started,” O’Daniel said. “Then, when my children became involved it got to be once a month and sometimes it would be four times a month.”

She said there were a few breaks here and there while her children were involved in sports and other activities through school, but it was never for very long.

O’Daniel said travel was a big part of the column over the years. It all started with a trip to Charleston, S.C. and a request to use a recipe at the 82 Queen.

“They brought out the recipe book from the restaurant and told me I could use anything in that book that I wanted,” O’Daniel said. “I have done that several times on several trips. We travel a lot and have been to a lot of different places. Wherever we go, I am always on the lookout for new ideas.”

But mostly, O’Daniel said the majority of her inspiration comes from family, especially her mother.

“My mother passed away in 1990, and she was an outstanding cook,” O’Daniel said. “She was a housewife, but a gourmet cook in her own right. Some of my favorite recipes are our family recipes. I believe in sharing recipes.

“I encourage people to share recipes and pass down recipes through family members. That’s so important so they won’t be lost.”

After 30 years of writing, O’Daniel said she doesn’t have plans to put down her spoon or her pencil.

“I never dreamed it would have lasted this long,” O’Daniel said. “But it’s almost like I can’t quit because when I miss a week or two, people call the paper as well as me at home and ask me if I am quitting. It’s because of the readers have kept me inspired.

“As long as the paper still wants me, I am willing to continue because of the feedback from the readers.”

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