Happy Birthday Julia Child

Remembering Julia Child Image: Glenn Dettwiler

Born on this day in 1912, famed chef, author and television personality Julia Child died on August 13, 2004, just two days shy of her 92nd birthday. She packed a whole lot of living in between.

Beloved for her cheery personality, warbling voice and straightforward manner, Julia is best known for introducing the art of French cooking to American home chefs. 

Three to Know:

1. Julia Child served in the Office of Secret Services (OSS) as a top secret researcher during World War II. She was stationed in Washington, DC, Sri Lanka, and China, where she met her husband. They moved to France where Julia taught herself to cook and then organized with friends to teach others. 
2. Her iconic cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking was first published in 1961 by Alfred A. Knopf, and ran a modest 726 pages. Co-authored with Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle, it has remained in print ever since and received its first e-book edition in October 2011.
3. Julia began a long television career in 1963 at WGBH-Boston with The French Chef. Her quirky personality comes through loud and clear whether appearing on her own, with a co-host (Jacques Pepin was a perfect kitchen partner for many years), or with a full cast of characters.

​Another famous “Julia” video comes to us courtesy of Dan Akroyd and Saturday Night Live (SEASON 4, 1978) -- this is definitely worth your time, whether it's your first viewing or your 101st. 

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In November 2009 our foodie group’s themed dinner was a Tribute to Julia Child. Unfortunately there are no photos or blog posts to document the occasion, but I assure you the evening was a huge success full of culinary delights and a few good stories about Julia’s rich life. Here’s what we made, mostly using recipes from Herself:

• Appetizers: Gorgonzola cheese balls w/ chives or walnuts, country pate and potato leek soup
• Drinks: Upside down martini, bourbon & ginger ale and buttery nipple shot

This was our course, and perhaps I’d better explain. The upside down martini,made with 5 parts vermouth to one part gin, was Julia’s favorite cocktail. Her husband Paul was an enthusiastic mixologist and enjoyed his bourbon, hence the inclusion of this brown liquor stalwart. And as to the buttery nipple shot – well, butter was one of Julia’s favorite ingredients AND she seems like a good-time gal who would not be above sending a few shots down the hatch. So what do you think – a round of buttery nipples for everyone? Cheers!

• Main course: Coq au vin, baby red potatoes and salad w/homemade dressing
• Dessert: Chocolate cake w/almonds

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​Finally, I simply must share a divine bit of music that honors Julia Child AND provides a detailed biography. WOW – this a capella-rap sound awesome, marching to its own beat and following a singular vision. Much like our birthday girl, Julia Carolyn McWilliams Child.
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Julia’s Too Tall 
Music & lyrics: Schumacher (Fumanshoe Music/ASCAP) Add’tl music & lyrics: Greene (Best of Breed Music/ASCAP)

She’s too tall to be a spy
But not too tall to bake a pie
Julia I love your tasty ways
Let me bite your bouillabaisse.

Some people called her Juju. And she was six-two.
She did attend Le Cordon Bleu but not til after World War Two,
Where then Top Secret was her clearance, but she
Was no spy, too tall was her appearance.
Her education gave her a mission, assistant in secret intelligence division.
Her time was well spent. She got acknowledgement.
She even helped develop shark repellent.

She went to cooking school. Studied with Master Chefs.
She joined a cooking club that they called Cercle Des Gourmettes.
She made some friends there, with flare for French fare.
Said they could share a way to cook the cuisine anywhere.
They penned their cooking regimen for the American.
But their contract got cancelled by Houghton Mifflin.
Someone else got the hint, and they all made a mint.
Published in nineteen-sixty one and it is still in print.

And then in sixty-three she made it to TV.
For educational program she won a Peabody and Emmy.
She had more left. There came the French Chef.
It was the first TV show to be captioned for the deaf.
She had a lot of shows, and wrote a lot more books. Her gastronomic viewpoints made a lot more cooks.
She cooked with butter, and not the margarine,
So tip a nip of cooking sherry for the Culinary Queen.

Boeuf Bourguinon, or Coq au Vin, Shrimp Étouffée, Passez Le pain.
Poulet Sauté aux Herbes de Provence.
Wear a beret for the buffet at request for response to the day you say OK,
She says she wants us to master La Cuisine Francais! 
 
Julia’s Too Tall © 2013 Schumacher (Fumanshoe Music/ASCAP) © 2013 Richard Bob Greene Best of Breed Music (ASCAP)