Simone Ortega

Simone Ortega Klein (29 May 1919 – 2 July 2008) – better known simply as Simone Ortega – was a bestselling Spanish culinary author. [1] Born in Barcelona [2] to a family originally from Alsace in France, she published her first and bestselling book 1080 recetas de cocina (republished in English as 1080 Recipes) in 1972. She was married to publisher José Ortega Spottorno, son of famous philosopher José Ortega y Gasset and founder of the Spanish daily newspaper El País, until his death in 2002.[3]

Her bestselling book, 1080 recetas de cocina (1080 Recipes) has sold over 3,5 million copies in Spain since it was first published,[4] and as of 2007 it was on its 48th updated edition there.[5] In 1987 she was awarded the Spanish Special Prize of Gastronomy, following this up in 2006 with the Spain Food Awards Special Prize.[4] In awarding the latter prize, the jury spoke of "an entire lifetime dedicated to advising and teaching consumers about good cooking and good cuisine, with special emphasis on the quality of national products".[4] 2006 also saw the French government bestow the Order of Arts and Letters on Ortega at a special ceremony in Madrid, at which Ortega commented that ""More than anything else, cuisine is what has brought France and Spain closer together".[4]

Aside from writing cookbooks, Ortega had a regular column in ¡Hola!, and was a frequent guest of various radio programmes.[6] Her most recent books were written in collaboration with her daughter, Inés Ortega Klein, who has followed in the footsteps of her mother to become something of a celebrity chef and cookbook author.[6]