For todays’ episode, we take a good look at Julia Child’s fascinating life and the start of her storied culinary career - the 1961 publication of "Mastering the Art of French Cooking," co-authored with Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle.
Yes, we Fan-girl Over Julia
It’s no secret that Leigh and Kim are fans of Julia Child - a culinary icon who revolutionized the way Americans think about food and cooking. Julia Child made cooking accessible and fun, and her legacy lives on today through her timeless recipes, television show episodes, her cookbooks, and through the work of the many chefs and food lovers she inspired.
Camelot and French Cuisine
At a time when the United States was embracing a new “Camelot” era with a young Kennedy family in the White House, this groundbreaking cookbook not only introduced Americans to the joys of French cuisine but provided detailed instructions and techniques to prepare classic French dishes at home. In contrast to a rapidly-commercialized home pantry, Julia emphasized fresh, high-quality ingredients and the importance of technique and precision in cooking.
But more than just a cookbook, "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" was a celebration of food and culture. Julia's infectious enthusiasm and joie de vivre were evident on every page, and her passion for cooking and entertaining was contagious. She made cooking fun and approachable, and her book inspired a whole generation of cooks to embrace the joys of cooking and entertaining. Julia's legacy can be seen in the many chefs who have cited her as an inspiration, including Alice Waters, Thomas Keller, and Jacques Pépin.
Today, more than 60 years after the publication of "Mastering the Art of French Cooking," Julia's message of joy, passion, and love for food continues to inspire and resonate with people around the world.
Do you own a copy of Masting the Art of French Cooking? Do you have a favorite technique of recipe?
Comfort Foods Transcript
🎧 Click here for the full, interactive transcript of this episode 🎧 {UPDATE LINK}
Sources We Found Helpful for this Episode
Books We Think You’ll Enjoy Reading
Mastering the Art of French Cooking (1961) with Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle
The French Chef Cookbook (1968)
From Julia Child's Kitchen (1975)
Julia Child & Company (1978)
The Way to Cook (1989)
Baking with Julia (1996)
Julia's Kitchen Wisdom (2000)
My Life in France (2006) with Alex Prud’homme
Recipes You Really Need to Try
Join us in two weeks when Leigh reveals the recipe that she chose to make from Mastering the Art of French Cooking. If you’re enjoying the podcast, we would love to have you join our supporting subscribers. For just a few dollars, you can get access to exclusive content, including the Recipe Box Roulette “card game”, more in-depth articles, and recipes. You’ll also help keep our oven lights on!
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EP 59: Bon Appétit! How Julia Child Made America Fall in Love with French Food