Pamela Strobel
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Pamela Strobel | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Other names | Princess Pamela |
| Occupations | Restaurateur Chef Author |
Pamela Strobel (born circa 1928)[1] also known as Princess Pamela is an American chef and cookbook author. She is best known for her authentic Southern cooking served in her New York City restaurant The Little Kitchen. Strobel also published a cookbook in 1969, Princess Pamela's Soul Food Cookbook that was featured in the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History's exhibit, "Food: Transforming the American Table 1950-2000."[2]
Born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Strobel was mainly raised by her grandmother, Addie, until she was 10 years old.[1][3] Her birthname may have been Addie Mae Strobel.[1] Strobel's mother Rosella, whose nickname was Beauty, worked as the head pastry chef at Spartanburg's Elite Restaurant.[1] Rosella moved to Boston shortly after Strobel was born for more work and left Strobel in the care of her mother, Addie.[1] Rosella had fallen ill and died at the age of 28 when Strobel was 10.[4][3] Strobel's grandmother, Addie, died a year or two later.[3]
After her mother and grandmother's death, Strobel traveled North and survived by doing various restaurant jobs along the way.[5] Before making her way to New York City in 1950, Strobel worked at R. J. Reynolds tobacco plant in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and other establishments in Virginia Beach and Newport News, Virginia.[1][6]
Once in New York City, Strobel worked in a chemical factory during the day and a restaurant at night where her friend Visee Dubois danced.[1]