The culinary world has lost a true legend with the passing of Daisy King, affectionately known as Tennessee’s “First Lady of Southern Cooking.” A celebrated chef, accomplished author, and beloved television personality, Daisy King left an indelible mark on Southern cuisine and the lives of those fortunate enough to experience her hospitality and flavors. Her passion for cooking, deeply rooted in her childhood on a farm, blossomed into a distinguished career that spanned decades and touched the hearts—and palates—of countless admirers.
Daisy King’s culinary journey began at the tender age of six, when she baked her first Five Flavor Pound Cake using a cherished recipe passed down by her grandmother, Linnie Angleine Fraser Deaton. This cake would later become a signature item at her renowned establishment, Miss Daisy’s Kitchen, where tradition and comfort food converged to create a uniquely Southern dining experience. Daisy credited her grandmother with teaching her essential kitchen skills, from drying fruit and pickling vegetables to rolling biscuits by hand and churning butter. These early lessons, imbued with love and a deep connection to farm life, laid the foundation for Daisy’s culinary philosophy: authentic Southern cooking from the heart.
After honing her skills and pursuing higher education at Belmont University, where she earned degrees in home economics and journalism, Daisy embarked on her professional journey as a caterer. Her reputation for excellence quickly grew, and in 1974, she opened the iconic Miss Daisy’s Tearoom, first in Franklin, Tennessee, and later in Nashville. The tearoom became a beloved institution, offering guests an inviting atmosphere where they could savor Daisy’s signature dishes, including her famous pound cake.
Miss Daisy’s Tearoom flourished for nearly two decades, earning Daisy King widespread acclaim and a devoted following. Though the tearoom closed in 1991, Daisy continued to share her culinary expertise as a consultant to major grocery chains and gourmet markets and as a media spokesperson for household brands such as Pillsbury, Swift’s Sausage, and Bisquick. Her career also extended to television, where she made regular appearances on shows like The Today Show, CBS This Morning, and Nashville’s Talk of the Town, captivating audiences with her warmth, charm, and boundless knowledge of Southern cooking.
In addition to her on-screen presence, Daisy King authored fourteen cookbooks, including the bestselling Recipes from Miss Daisy’s, which sold over a million copies and became a staple in kitchens across America. Her recipes, rooted in tradition yet accessible to modern home cooks, celebrated the rich culinary heritage of the South while reflecting Daisy’s own creative flair.
Throughout her illustrious career, Daisy King had the privilege of preparing meals for country music legends, television stars, U.S. senators, and countless friends and family members. Despite her fame, she remained deeply connected to her roots and to the values that shaped her as a chef and as a person: authenticity, generosity, and a love for bringing people together through food.
Daisy King’s legacy lives on not only in her cookbooks and recipes but also in the memories of those who had the pleasure of dining at her tearooms, watching her on television, or simply sharing a meal prepared with love. Her influence on Southern cuisine is immeasurable, and her passing marks the end of an era for Nashville’s culinary community.
Daisy King is survived by her family, friends, and the generations of home cooks she inspired. Her legacy will continue to thrive in kitchens across the South and beyond, as her recipes and spirit remain a timeless testament to the magic of Southern cooking.
Though she has departed this world, Daisy King’s legacy endures in every bite of pound cake, every hand-rolled biscuit, and every meal prepared with love—a true celebration of the heart and soul of Southern cuisine.
