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Most of us would agree that Julia Child has heavily influenced the way we cook and enjoy food in American culture today. There are many of us who would go farther to say that she modeled independence, success and passion for her work for American women. She solidified the notion that women can be and do anything we set our hearts to. Her charm and wit has inspired many of us to, not only cook, but also live well and to take pride in who we are. I was fortunate to meet Julia Child at the Women for Wine Sense conference in May 1998. I was amazed at how approachable this mighty cooking icon was and her wonderful sense of humor.
Julia Child was born Julia McWilliams in Pasadena, California and graduated from Smith College in 1934. She met Paul Child during her World War II service in the O.S.S. (The Office of Strategic Services). They married after the war. Mr Child's job with the U.S. Information Agency took them to Paris in 1948, a move that eventually would profoundly affect American culture.
Julia fell in love with France and French Cooking literally after the first bite. She attended Cordon Bleu and studied privately. Julia met Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle and the three women eventually opened their own cooking school in Paris, "L'Ecole des Trosis Gourmands" (the school of the three hearty eaters). Mastering the Art of French Cooking, by Child, Beck and Bertholle was published in 1961 and it set the standard for generations of American homemakers. Julia's omelet lesson made WGBH lead to the station's revolutionary idea of a regular cooking show. At that time in television history, there were none.
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Julia Child and "The French Chef" went on the air February 11, 1963, and her cooking shows have been aired and repeated without interruption ever since. She has subsequently authored many cookbooks including the best selling book The Way to Cook which blends classic techniques with contemporary lifestyles. Julia has been written about in virtually every major magazine and newspaper in America. |
She has appeared on local television throughout the country, and on the Today Show, Good Morning America, Johnny Carson, David Letterman and other National shows. Her Dinner at Julia's television series was taped in Santa Barbara and included famous visiting chefs and winemakers.
Julia Child was the first TV personality to win an "Emmy." "In Julia's Kitchen with Master Chefs" received both an Emmy Award and a "Best Television Cooking Show" award from the James Beard Foundation. Her many honors also include "The George Foster Peabody Award" for "distinguished achievement in Television," the French government's "Ordre de Merite Agricole," and the "Ordre de Merite National." She became the first member of La Commanderie des Cordon Bleus de France, American Chapter. Julia Child was named "Woman of the Year" for the Boston-New England Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. She is an honorary member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, and has received honorary degrees from Boston University, Bates College, Newbury College, Rutgers University, Smith College, and Harvard University. In 1997, she received the Women for WineSense, "Woman of the Year Award."
By Bev Brock-Alexander
