Local Legends

Zuni Chef-Owner Judy Rodgers Recovering After Major Surgery, Treatment for Rare Cancer

Rodgers
Rodgers Photo: via Forbes

A blog post from friend, protégé and Foreign Cinema owner Gayle Pirie went discreetly up on the Scoop this week discussing the recent, “catastrophic” illness of renowned Zuni Café chef Judy Rodgers. Pirie reveals that Rodgers was diagnosed over the summer with a rare form of cancer that had gone undiagnosed and “slowly metastasized over a series of years.” She subsequently underwent a life-threatening operation in September and has been recovering at home ever since. Just last week Pirie took Rodgers out for her first, post-recovery swim, and brought her some apple pop tarts from Foreign Cinema’s brunch service. Rodgers is the author of the canonized and widely loved Zuni Café Cookbook, and has served as chef at the iconic restaurant since 1987. She now co-owns Zuni with Gilbert Pilgram, and you can read more about her history at the restaurant, and its evolution from Mexican to Cal-Med cuisine, here. A source tells Grub Street she’s doing better every day, and we wish her all the best in her continued recovery. [Scoop]

Zuni Chef-Owner Judy Rodgers Recovering After Major Surgery, Treatment for Rare