An ode to Marion, Marvin and Nora

Cake
We lost three amazing people recently who definitely made an impact on me, although I did not know any of them personally.  Nora Epron, Marion Cunningham and Marvin Traub

Nora Ephron, the glass ceiling breaker.  A writer, chef, mother, director, playwright…a woman that was way ahead of her time and one that all women held in awe….at least I did. 

Marion Cunningham, an advocate for good home cooking.  She championed the dinner table where food was made straight from your kitchen.  She also came to her career later in her life which we can all applaud. One of my first cookbooks was Marions. 

Marvin Traub, he was Bloomingdales.  He was the briliant mind behind the creation of one of the most unique heavily curated exciting department stores in the world.  When I worked at Macys, I wanted to be Marvin Traub.

So after reading the obituaries this morning and reading about Marion and Marvin on the same day, I baked Marion Cunninghams Coffeecake (should have used a bundt pan but didn't have one). I think it is the perfect ode to three pretty amazing people who made their mark on the world or at least in my life. 

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Comments (Archived):

  1. awaldstein

    The idea of cooking to express respect and memorialize the wonderful is a great cultural reflex.My mom when we where growing up had three dishes which when made were heads up that something was in her head:-Split Pea Soup which meant my grandfather needed cheering up-Mandelbrot to celebrate her control of life and the kitchen-her truly amazing Kugel that was a celebration of life and family. It was going to be a joyous meal and evening.Have a great weekend.

  2. ellen

    Read Nora Ephron and met Marvin Traub when Bloomingdales opened in Chestnut Hill but never heard of Marion Cunningham.Excellent idea with a couple of loaves.As you know Joanne in the Jewish religion we bring food to the “shiver house,” but that is more for the living that are left behind, which brings me to an interesting story. When my mother-in-law died, she had so many frozen baked goods and premade meals we served them at her shiver and it was as if she was still with us.

  3. ellen

    that’s shiva not shiver

    1. Gotham Gal

      Ha. Figured so much

  4. AG

    Wondering if you liked the cake. I looked up the recipe in light of this post. The reviews on epicurious were negative enough for me to worry about giving it a try. I also have to say a crumb topping is what I love most about a coffee cake.

    1. Gotham Gal

      cake is just okay. i prefer a crumb topping. i cut it up and served it for dessert with a mixture of berries and whipped cream.

      1. AG

        Thanks for that! And great post as usual.

  5. Lois Whitman

    Well done

  6. Sunchowder

    Lovely tribute to some amazing people…