Chapter 2: Pine
Summary
- Elizabeth Zott, once a research chemist, has an unmistakable demeanor suggesting she is far from average.
- Her daughter, Madeline, makes a friend in Amanda Pine by sharing her superior, homemade lunches with her.
- Mysteriously, Madeline starts losing weight, and Elizabeth investigates, suspecting that her daughter's nutritionally calculated lunches should be sufficient.
- Upon discovering Amanda eating Madeline's food, Elizabeth confronts Amanda's father, Walter Pine, at his workplace—a TV studio.
- Elizabeth informs Pine that his daughter is falsely befriending Madeline for her lunches. Pine, taken aback by Elizabeth's striking appearance and manner, mistakes her for an actress.
- Elizabeth vents about the importance of nutritious food and the lack of widespread culinary education while Pine, intrigued, accidentally pitches the idea of a cooking show.
- The show "Supper at Six" is launched with Elizabeth as the host. Though she is a chemist by trade, she accepts the role for financial reasons and her child's welfare.
- Elizabeth's genuine and serious approach to cooking on the show earned her rapid popularity and made "Supper at Six" an institution within two years.
- Vice President Lyndon Johnson comments on the show, suggesting that people should watch Elizabeth for her culinary expertise.
- On the show, Elizabeth focuses on simple, nutritious recipes, adhering to a straightforward philosophy on food and ending with a message for children to help their mothers.
- Despite her success, a prominent reporter nicknamed her "Luscious Lizzie," which Elizabeth and her daughter Madeline felt reduced her true scientific talent.
- Elizabeth reflects on how her life reached this point and acknowledges that the pivotal change in her life was due to Calvin Evans.