James Peterson is an American writer and cookery teacher. He studied chemistry at the University of California at Berkeley.[1]
After traveling the world and moving to Paris, he apprenticed at Paris' Cordon Bleu. He worked at Le Vivarois, then moved to Vonnas to work at Chez La Mere Blanc (now Restaurant Georges Blanc).[2]
In 1979, he returned to New York City, becoming a partner at Greenwich Village's Le Petit Robert. Starting in 1984, he taught for four years at the French Culinary Institute, where he wrote the advanced curriculum.[citation needed]
His first book, Sauces, written in 1990, won an award for best single subject and the Cookbook of the Year Award from the James Beard Foundation.[citation needed] He went on to write 14 more cookbooks and win an additional five James Beard Awards, making for seven in all.[citation needed] Peterson is responsible for virtually all the photography in his books.[citation needed]
Since 2011, James has been studying perfumes in his home laboratory. In 2011, he launched Brooklyn Perfume Company.
He resides today in Brooklyn, New York, where he is actively developing new perfumes and running a small business.[3]