Dorcas Reilly

Dorcas Reilly (1926 – October 15, 2018) was an American chef and home economist, best known for creating the iconic Green Bean Casserole recipe in 1955 while working as a staff member in the Campbell Soup Company's home economics department. Her creation has become a staple at American Thanksgiving dinners and potluck meals, showcasing the versatility and convenience of canned soup products.

Early Life and Education

Dorcas Reilly was born in 1926 in Camden, New Jersey. She pursued her passion for cooking and home economics by obtaining a degree from the Drexel Institute of Technology in Philadelphia, now known as Drexel University. Her education laid the foundation for her future career in developing recipes that would appeal to American families.

Career

After completing her education, Reilly began her career in the food industry, eventually joining the Campbell Soup Company in the early 1950s. At Campbell's, she led the home economics department, where her team was tasked with creating recipes that would encourage the use of Campbell's products in everyday cooking. During her tenure, Reilly and her team developed hundreds of recipes, but none as enduring or as popular as the Green Bean Casserole.

Green Bean Casserole

The Green Bean Casserole, originally called "Green Bean Bake," was developed by Reilly in 1955. The recipe was designed to be a quick and easy dish that could be made with ingredients found in most American kitchens: canned green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and crispy fried onions. Its simplicity, combined with its comforting taste, quickly made it a favorite among American households. The recipe's popularity soared, and it became synonymous with holiday meals, especially Thanksgiving.

Legacy

Dorcas Reilly's contribution to American cuisine was recognized in 2002 when the original recipe card for the Green Bean Casserole was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. This honor highlighted not only the dish's popularity but also its impact on American culinary culture. Reilly's work exemplifies the mid-20th-century trend of convenience cooking, which sought to simplify meal preparation for American families.

Reilly retired from Campbell Soup Company in the 1980s but remained a celebrated figure in the culinary world until her passing in 2018. Her legacy lives on through the Green Bean Casserole, which continues to be a beloved dish in American homes and a testament to her creativity and understanding of American tastes.

Death

Dorcas Reilly passed away on October 15, 2018, leaving behind a legacy that has become a cherished part of American culinary tradition. Her invention of the Green Bean Casserole has ensured her place in the annals of food history.

See Also

• Campbell Soup Company
• Thanksgiving
• Home economics