Irena Chalmers-Taylor (June 5, 1935 – April 4, 2020) was a British-born American cookbook author, food essayist and educator. She was born in London, England. She was nicknamed "the culinary oracle of 100 cookbooks". She was known as an important person in cookbook writing. Her best known essays were published in "The Last Word" and "Chef Magazine". as well as a commentator on WAMC/Northeast Public Radio, Chalmers also worked for the The Culinary Institute of America.