( Reprinted and edited from )
Vitality Magazine
John’s love of food dates back to his early childhood
years living in a 3 story 12 apartment building in the
North End of Boston and later in the South End of Boston. He can still remember the aromas of the
cooking in those melting pot apartment building kitchens, and learning at a very young age of 9 to appreciate the varied
ethnic culinary approaches of those living
literally next door: Polish, Greek, Italian, Lebanese, Hawaiian, French, Philippine, etc. As a child of 8 years and beyond , he had a
street-side stand on Harrison Ave., next to an Italian Butcher Shop , where he sold his own cooking, mostly puddings and cake that he cooked along with his Italian mother. He also performed “with a puppet show,” as he sold the foods, John adds. His appreciation of ethnic dishes and their cultures has continued on the "Fooding Around' television and radio shows.
Born and raised in Boston, John attended Northeastern
University. While attending college in Boston, he produced his own jazz radio show "Jazz
Rendezvous with JR" on WUPY FM (the first stereo multiplex FM station in the Northeast) and
worked with great names like Bill Marlowe,
Ken Malden, Stan Richards, Arnie "WooWoo" Ginsberg, Joe Smith on
various Boston radio stations. In 1959, he was making $80.00 a week for the 5 day 2 hour show.
John later became the liaison and division manager for Family
Circle Magazine distributed by Warner Communication ( Publishing Division), New York,
traveling United States and Europe which
further satisfied his curious palate to discover the
pleasure of ethnic cuisine. But in 1975 John moved back to New England and
purchased the Cape Cod Compass magazine from Yankee Magazine and started his own publishing
company.
In 1976, he founded the Leisure Time Dining Club, a company that allowed members to dine
out at leading restaurants. Over 200 restaurants and inns participated in the
program for over 28 years. He also started “TASTE” shows throughout southern New England
which are annual
consumer shows where people could come and taste culinary samples from many regional restaurants and food/wine producers.
In 1992 he went back into radio with his own food and
dining out talk show in southeastern Massachusetts. He expanded a year
later into television throughout New
England. ( see TV listings under Television main page www.foodingaround.com)
(newenglanddine.com)
“It is remarkable the power of the mass media. There are very few places I have visited over the past 12 years and asked the same question over and over again; “Why aren’t you 400 pounds, I see you cook
and eat all that food on TV." And it is not just in New England, ” I met some people from the USA on my last trip to Portugal and Sicily who recognized me and asked the same question.” says John.
John is well traveled, especially enjoying the Mediterranean
destinations annually and has experienced the cultures and foods of Italy, France, Portugal, Sicily Spain, Egypt and Greece. Over the years his trips to Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Russia has also broaden his palate. He especially enjoys the pastries and cheeses of these countries.
His herb and flower gardens are enjoyments during the off hours of touring restaurants, producing
cooking shows, interviewing regional and national restaurateurs and chefs and above all
meeting fellow foodies throughout the world at conferences and conventions. "The
history of foods has always fascinated me and I'll read
any book that broadens my knowledge of how foods were integrated into world history. It is amazing what is
revealed in these books and learning about food trade and cultivation over the
millenniums.", says John. " Food is truly the souls of cultures throughout the
world."
John loves the food industry and holds great respect for those
who eke a living from this beloved passion of hospitality and producing specialty
foods and wines. "I continually promote Chef owned dining establishments and especially husband and wife teams in small establishments. I know and lived the 24/7 partnership restaurant business so I understand what it takes to make it happen, day after day." says John. "I will always there to support culinary events involving local and regional chef managed and owned restaurants since "Fooding Around" is a 24/7 passion and a great hobby for my retirement years."
Reflecting on his
life, John concludes, “ I think what I’ve done over the past decades has brought
people a lot of enjoyment and interest in ethnic foods since those fond days of the aromas from neighborhood apartments. Besides....after each television
show is over, I’m able to share my work
with fellow foodies and eat it too!”
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Julia Child, coined the words and
title for my shows during the first
interview with her after guest appearnce conducting
the Boston POPS in Hyannis 15 years ago.
Julia said, "John, it seems you're always fooding around"
"I miss her"
"Do everything in Good Taste."
John James Joseph Rega |
