Julia Child needs no introduction. The legendary cookbook author and TV personality, who would have turned 112-years-old today, introduced America to French culinary techniques with her acclaimed cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Child also became one of the first-ever chefs to host a televised cooking show, The French Chef on PBS, making her voice one of the most recognizable in the country.
Child’s impact has always been strong, and it doesn’t look as if that power will be wavering anytime soon. Throughout the years, Child’s influence has seeped from the culinary world into many other aspects of society, most notably pop culture, hilariously parodied by comedian Dan Aykroyd on Saturday Night Live in 1978. Academy Award winner Meryl Streep portrayed Child in Julie & Julia, a Nora Ephron-written movie based on a true story.
And interest in the famed French cooking pioneer just keeps getting stronger. In 2021, HBO Max released their new comedy series Julia, which followed the journey of Julia Child from Boston retiree to beloved TV cooking pioneer, and in 2022 the Food Network launched “The Julia Child Challenge,” a cooking competition series that payed homage to the French Chef in every episode.
If you’re looking for ways to celebrate the Master, restaurants around the world will be hosting special events and dinners to honor her. Search the internet for one near you and go have a (butter) ball! Or, if you’d rather pay homage in the comfort of your own home, back in 2017 Food & Wine Magazine put together a list of 10 Recipes to make Ms. Child proud.
Bon Appetit!
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