Carol Field, an authority on Italian cuisine whose classic cookbook “The Italian Baker,” published in 1985, introduced Americans to regional breads like ciabatta and focaccia, as well as to desserts, died on Friday in San Francisco. She was 76. The cause was complications of a stroke, her family said.

Ms. Field fell in love with Italy and its food while helping her husband, John, an architect, film a PBS documentary in Liguria in 1972. Persistent fog forced the couple and their small crew to suspend the project, and by the time they returned the next summer, the budget could no longer support an interpreter. Ms. Field taught herself Italian and, on repeat visits to Italy, developed a deep appreciation and understanding of Italian food.