The Frugal Gourmet

The Frugal Gourmet is an American half-hour cooking show. It ran on PBS from 1983 to 1997. It was hosted by Jeff Smith. During the Three Ancient Cuisines run in 1989, Craig Wollam became Smith's assistant chef. From 1983 to 1989, for the first seven seasons, the show was taped at the WTTW studios in Chicago, Illinois. In 1990, starting in season eight, the show was taken over by A La Carte Communications That company also created Julia Child's later series.

Format

During each half-hour segment, Jeff Smith follows step-by-step instructions on the preparation of different dishes.

Theme song

The theme song used for his program is George Frideric Handel's Water Music, the Bourree movement.