Wednesday, August 15, 2012

One hundred cheers for Julia Child!


If Julia Child were still living, today would be her 100th birthday.

This beloved “first lady of cooking” fervently began sharing her extensive knowledge of French cuisine with the American public through the 1961 cookbook she co-authored with two French women, Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.” Dubbed “a pioneer of cooking shows,” she laid the groundwork for today’s infinite number of culinary programs with PBS’ “The French Chef,” which premiered in 1963.

Julia Child
August 15, 1912 — August 13, 2004
Julia’s enthusiasm for life — and cooking — was infectious! Her charming, cheerful, unflappable disposition and great sense of humor created an extraordinary kinship between her and her television audiences. She was prolific well into her older years, continuing to write several other cookbooks and books and entertaining us “Julia-philes” with numerous TV series during the 1970s, 1980s and, surprisingly, into the 1990s.

To commemorate the centenary of her birth, celebrations around the country have taken various forms including many special events and food-related adventures. A panel of chefs and culinary experts has compiled a list of her 100 most-loved recipes, which wasn’t easy, since she had written over 3,700. You can join in the celebration by cooking one of her recipes in her honor this month.

PBS is throwing an online “party” for Julia where you’ll be a welcome guest — find her recipes, watch their video collection, read her lively quotes, take the JC quiz to discover your “inner Julia Child” and much more.

Google has dedicated today’s Google Doodle to this esteemed culinary queen and at least four new books written about her this year can be added to the lengthy list that already exists. “Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child,” and “Julia’s Cats: Julia Child’s Life in the Company of Cats” are slanted towards adults while “Bon Appetit! The Delicious Life of Julia Child” and “Minette’s Feast: The Delicious Story of Julia Child and Her Cat” will appeal to all ages.

“We should enjoy food and have fun,” Julia once said. “It is one of the simplest and nicest pleasures in life.” I so agree. Bon Appetit! CJK







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