A Tale of Two Diets
Judy Garland's life was characterized by a dramatic duality—her vibrant public persona often masking a troubled private existence. This is no more evident than in her relationship with food. While her early career at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer was plagued by punishing dietary restrictions and drug-induced cycles of binge and starvation, her personal life saw a deep and genuine appreciation for cooking and hearty, comforting meals. This article delves into the personal culinary delights that brought her joy, offering a contrast to the studio-enforced hardships.
The Beloved Shepherd's Pie Supreme
Among all her home-cooked specialties, Judy Garland's "Shepherd's Pie Supreme" stands out as a true culinary triumph and a declared favorite. This was no ordinary, quickly assembled meal; it was a complex and lovingly crafted masterpiece she passed down to her children, Lorna Luft and Liza Minnelli. Her recipe for Shepherd's Pie included both roasted leg of lamb and poached chicken breasts, which were hand-ground for a more nuanced flavor and texture. In an interview, Garland proudly described the finished pie as coming out "looking like a birthday cake—fluffy and delicious". She balanced this gourmet effort with a touch of convenience by using instant mashed potato flakes for the topping, but elevated them with a rich mixture of chicken stock, sour cream, milk, chives, and plenty of butter. The dedication she poured into this one dish speaks volumes about the passion she found in the kitchen away from the studio's unforgiving eye.
The "Over the Rainbow" Vegetable Salad
Another personal favorite was a special vegetable salad, originally created by her mother and later adopted by Judy herself. She fondly recalled how her mother discovered the perfect combination of ingredients and dressing, making it her "favorite type of food". The salad featured a vibrant mix of romaine hearts, endive, watercress, grated carrots, diced celery, tomatoes, and peas. The dressing was a light, yet flavorful French dressing. Her unique and intimate touch was to mix the salad with her hands, a method she believed ensured every leaf was properly coated with dressing, a sensory experience she cherished. This dish, light and healthy, was a world away from the punishing diets of her youth, representing a simple, wholesome pleasure she could control.
A Table of Contrast: Studio vs. Personal Diet
This table highlights the dramatic difference between the diet imposed on her during her MGM career and the meals she genuinely enjoyed in her personal life. The contrast underscores the harsh realities of Hollywood's Golden Age versus her private search for comfort.
| Aspect | MGM Studio Diet (Forced) | Personal Favorite Foods (Chosen) |
|---|---|---|
| Main Goal | Weight control and suppression | Culinary enjoyment and comfort |
| Core Ingredients | Chicken broth, black coffee, diet pills | Lamb, chicken, mashed potatoes, fresh vegetables |
| Beverages | Coffee | Ice-cold Coca-Cola |
| Emotional Context | Constant anxiety, pressure, and shame | Pride in cooking, family connection, personal pleasure |
| Food Relationship | Disordered and restrictive | Enjoyable and passionate |
Other Favorites and the Importance of Context
Beyond the more complex dishes, Garland also enjoyed simple, hearty fare. Alongside her steak and kidney pie, she had a particular fondness for mashed potatoes and gravy. Her ex-husband Sid Luft also recalled her love for other hearty meals like spaghetti and cheeseburgers, which were often a source of contention during her later-life attempts at dieting. It is vital to remember that these food preferences existed within the context of a challenging and often unhealthy relationship with eating, stemming from the pressure cooker of her early career. Her passion for cooking was a genuine source of pride and a way to reclaim a sense of control and normalcy that had been denied to her for so long. She once remarked, "I can now cook for 36 people, and I'm prouder of that than anything else I do," a testament to how profoundly cooking impacted her life.
Conclusion
What was Judy Garland's favorite food is a question that reveals more than just her culinary tastes. The answer is a mosaic, showing a preference for wholesome comfort food like her Shepherd's Pie Supreme and a beloved vegetable salad, alongside simpler pleasures. However, this story is inseparable from the lifelong battle with body image and eating disorders that were forced upon her by the ruthless Hollywood studio system. Ultimately, her favorite foods represented not only a source of comfort but a form of personal expression and a reclamation of joy in a life often defined by hardship. The simple act of cooking and enjoying a meal with her family was a quiet, profound act of defiance and a source of deep pride for the iconic performer. You can find a modern adaptation of her famous salad recipe on the official PBS website: Judy Garland's Vegetable Salad Recipe.
Judy Garland's Cooking: Ingredients and Flair
Judy Garland’s passion for cooking later in life was evident in her attention to detail and personal touches. For her Shepherd's Pie Supreme, she was particular about roasting the meat herself rather than using pre-ground product, and used a rich, homemade-style mash for the topping. For her vegetable salad, she insisted on using her hands to mix the dressing, believing it was the best way to ensure perfect coverage. Her daughters would often join her in the kitchen for what she described as a "Pillsbury bake-off," highlighting her love for cooking as a bonding experience. Her food preferences ranged from sophisticated roasts to simple, comforting plates of pasta. The act of cooking became a powerful creative outlet, rivaling even her singing in her own estimation.
The Psychology of Food for Garland
Garland's relationship with food offers a poignant insight into her mental state. The restrictive diets at MGM bred a cycle of binging and purging, fostering a lifelong struggle. Her fondness for high-calorie comfort foods, like Alfredo and hot fudge sundaes, can be seen as a form of rebellion against her strict, controlled past. Later, her pride in her cooking demonstrated a pivot from a dysfunctional relationship with food to a healthy, creative one. Food was transformed from a tool of control and punishment into a source of comfort and personal satisfaction.
The Public and Private Perceptions of Food
Throughout her career, the press and public often scrutinized Garland's weight, unaware of the immense pressure she was under. Articles would dissect her appearance, adding to her burden. This public gaze contrasted sharply with the private joy she found in cooking. Her cooking skills were a source of quiet, personal pride, a secret talent she nurtured away from the demanding scrutiny of the entertainment industry.
Remembering a Culinary Legacy
While Garland is remembered for her iconic voice and films, her culinary legacy offers a more personal, intimate window into her life. Her recipes, a testament to her love of comfort and family, reveal a woman who found solace and joy in the simple, fulfilling act of creation in her kitchen. Her Shepherd's Pie and vegetable salad stand as flavorful reminders of a talent that extended well beyond the stage and screen.
