Julia Child, the legendary chef who died in 2004 at age 91, did food lovers a great service when she introduced French cuisine to American audiences.
Her television show “The French Chef” premiered in 1963, and the likable chef soon had cooks across America serving julienne-style vegetables, beef simmered in red wine, rich casseroles, creamy sauces with chiffonades of herbs, and crusty bread. French cuisine has had a place in American kitchens ever since.
The woman who fostered this cultural phenomenon was born in California on August 15, 1912. After college she worked in advertising, then for the U.S. Office of Strategic Services during World War II. While stationed in Ceylon, Julia met her husband, Paul Child. In 1948, the couple moved to Paris for Paul’s job with the U.S. State Department, and the rest is culinary history.
The centenary of Julia’s birth gives her fans – and anyone who appreciates French cuisine – a good reason to tour France in her footsteps.
In Paris, Julia’s landmarks include the Hotel Pont Royal – a stylish Left Bank hotel where she and Paul lived when they first arrived in the city – and 81 rue de l’Universitè, where they lived in an apartment. Julia spent hours at E. Dehillerin, a cookware store on rue Coquillière. Down the street, Julia loved the traditional onion soup at Au Pied du Cochon. At the Shakespeare & Company bookstore, Julia realized that there were no French cookbooks in English – a void that she soon filled. You can even take a lesson at her alma mater, Le Cordon Bleu, a memorable experience for any cook.
In 1963, the Childs built a cottage near the town of Placassier in Provence, near Cannes. La Pitchoune (the little one) was the scene of many dinner parties. It’s is now home to a culinary school called Cooking with Friends in France, which offers five-day culinary immersion programs.
In the Mediterranean seaport of Marseilles, Julia learned about bouillabaisse, a delicious fish stew. She also loved French wine, and you can raise a glass to her memory at a vineyard in one of the country’s wine regions, such as the Loire Valley, Bordeaux or Champagne.
For more ideas about a Julia-based tour of France, talk with your travel professional.
This travel column was written by BlueRibbonNews.com special contributor Robbert van Bloemendaal, an experienced world traveler, native of Australia, an Ambassador with the Rowlett Chamber of Commerce, and president of Travel Leaders of Rowlett.
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