JULIA.
Ah! I love Julia! even though I barely know how to cook Myself. But, a girl can dream right? or at least have a boyfriend who is a Chef;)
Growing up I came from a long line of mostly Midwest Meh Home Cooks. Sorry Grandma and Mom! They always seemed to play it safe and sensible in the kitchen. Experimention was for sure pretty much unheard really except for my German Grandpa who did make the most delicious homemade bread. But, it again it was safe and far from exotic. God forbid French 🇫🇷 either.
As a kid in the 80’s, I often scrolled the TV when I was home sick and came across Julia Child. I just loved her joyful laugh and smile as she cooked the most decadent dishes. Wishing I could reach through the screen and taste what Gourmet was… There was a passion in her chopping and roasting I had never seen in the cooking around me. It was foreign and magical. It left a Lasting impression on me that I would not be reacquainted with until I saw the film Julie & Julia in 2009 as adult.
I just adored the portrayal of Julia by Meryl Stereo and the scenes of her falling in love with France and it's Food. I soon after devoured each page and delicious story in her memoir, My Life in France. I even loved reading her descriptions of preparing, cooking and eating. It made me want to try my own hand in the kitchen or it least daydream about it. To this day it’s one of my favorite books, I even recently reread it again for this storyboard. She was definitely a Tour De Force in the kitchen and I can see why people are still Loving on her to this day. Myself included.
And this March is definitely the unofficial Month of Julia in the streaming world. Yesterday I watched The Food Network’s premiere episode of The Julia Child Challenge. It’s super delightful as Eight talented Home cooks vie for a chance to study at the Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. I loved the replica of Julia’s iconic Kitchen and the big Vintage TV that Julia herself teaches from old episodes of The French Chef. I was also so impressed with myself that I knew most of the trivia they share throughout the show;) I would highly recommend you checking it out for yourself. It drops every Monday on Discovery+ as well.
And HBOmax begins streaming on March 31st, Julia. Inspired by her long-running public television series, The French Chef and the wonderful story behind it. The cast looks amazing! I have my own Oven timer set and ready.⏲️ to watch.
And In the meantime I hope you enjoy my little Julia Storyboard:
Julia.
Book• Mastering the Art of French Cooking. A cooking masterpiece published in 1961 by Knopf. Nearly taking Nine years to write, research, edit and recipe test. It’s the perfect companion into the world of Julia and French Cookery. Every French Foodie should have this on their kitchen shelves and maybe THIS PRINT on it’s wall.
Dutch Oven • Or Sometimes called a French Oven or by Julia, a Casserole for her American viewers. Its a thick walled cooking pot with a tight lid. Perfect to make Julia’s famous Boeuf Bourguignom (Beef Stew with Red Wine)
Julia’s original Le Creuset La Mama in Flame Red now sits on display in her kitchen in the Smithsonian. HERE is a similar one to add to your own Kitchen if you don't have one already. They are for sure an investment, but one you will use for a lifetime.
Copper Mold•Julia loved Copper! Pots, Pans and even Molds. Any French Chef would agree that Copper distributes Heat perfectly. I chose this Oversize Antique Paris Copper Mold after watching her demonstrate a Improvisation Meal on The French Chef via PBS.
Peg Board•Julia and her husband Paul had installed Peg Board in each of her many kitchens including her most famous one on 103 Irving St. in Cambridge, Mass. Painted blue to wonderfully display her Copper Pots, Pans and many Gadgets. Paul even used a permanent black marker to create a silhouette of each one and where they should go. Pretty genius right? You can get your own HERE or any Hardware store and Home Improvement Store.
Stand Mixer•Julia never one to add extra work if not needed nor if it would compromise a recipe. She herself had a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer on her counter. Julia’s was a classic black, but I chose one in Teal. Yes, they're pricey, but you can get a refurbished one HERE at half the price. Julia recommends it too.
Mortar and Pestle•You don't need one the size of your head as Julia shared she got in My Life in France. But, they're perfect for grinding spices and crushing nuts among other things. HERE a classic white marble one.
Chef’s Knife•I’m actually not going to pretend I know anything about this… Knive’s scare me. But, I do know that Julia loved a Good Chef’s Knife and I picked a lovely one from her Beloved E. Dehillerin of Paris. And Hand wash them! I learned the hard way.
Cutting Board•I chose this lovely round ONE. Perfect for cutting and chopping. And yes I'm sure it could be used for Americans version of a Charcuterie board. FYI After all my Julia research, I realized A Charcuterie literally translates to a Pork Butcher Shop. It’s a place you go not just a board with summer sausage, brie cheese, crackers and olives that us midwesterns like;)
Serving Tray•Always at the end of the French Chef Julia brings her meal to the Dining Room. And this ONE seemed perfect even if Julia detested sponsorship. She probably would of covered up the brand name with Tape like all the rest:)
Accessories
Patch• L’ECOLE DES TROIS GOURMANDES (The school of the three Hearty Eaters) Designed in 1952 by Paul Child for Julia’s Cooking School with fellow Chef’s Simone (Simca) Beck and Louisette Bertholle in Paris teaching Anerican Students. It later was still worn on the French Chef and now seen on American Halloween Costumes from Children to Adults every year;)
Dish Towel•Who doesn't feel more like Jullia with a kitchen towel tucked in your apron. If your looking for Vintage French ones, HERE is the place even though later on in Life Julia preferred Terry Cloth. My Favorite inexpensive one for year's has been Ikea’s Striped Red Hildegun Dish Towel with that handy loop for hanging. I'm sure you might have them as well!
Pearl’s•Last, but not least… A signature strand that gave polish to her Iconic Crisp Blue work shirt. HERE is a classic set via Sotheby’s.
More of Julia…
My Life in France •Like I mentioned above. This is is one of my All-time favorite Memoirs. Written with her grand Nephew Alex Prud’Homme, it is beyond lovely and makes you feel as if you were along for the Julia and Paul Child life adventure. What a legacy.
France is a Feast •To know Julia, you must know Paul. Paul was amazing photographer and artist. This photographic journal of his work and inspiration is a perfect companion to their story.
Julia Child’s Second Act•It’s like the Part 2 of My Life in France chronicling Julia’s journey into the world of Television Cooking. So, good.
Julia •Released in the Fall of 2021, a wonderful tribute to Julia’s life and passion. A great introductory course into the woman that made cooking cool. Available for streaming on prime.
I hope you enjoyed my peek into Julia. This was such a joy to create and my most ambitious Storyboard yet with all the research. Thank you for reading and it wouldn’t be right closing without…