Celebrating Julia

Today is Julia Child's birthday, she would have been 101.

Thankfully there are cookbooks and videos and articles and anecdotes to keep us all inspired.

Julia. A lover of good food. From all accounts, a lover of life.

For many years, I worked with a chef, also born on August 15th, who has tremendous admiration for Julia and always held a cooking class on their mutual birthday. It was great fun and I miss the comradery.

Reason enough to continue the tradition.

So I urge you to celebrate August 15th with a group of friends that like to cook and love to eat and look good in pearls.

Here are a few ideas for your own Julia Child's-themed luncheon or dinner party.

Start with a strand of pearls and a French apron.

Or take it a step further.

Pearls, a button down shirt, and a badge.

Did you know that Julia and her cookbook collaborators, Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle, started an informal cooking school in Paris in 1952, called L'Ecole des Trois Gourmandes, held in Julia's kitchen? Even after the school was disbanded, the spirit of the group lived on. Years later, Julia pinned the insignia (her husband had designed the logo) to her blouse before each televised cooking program.

Invite Julia into your home.

Here is Julia Child: America's Favorite Chef (2004) from Netflix.

Surround yourself with her cookbooks.

Grab butter, eggs, cream and a tart pan and whip up a Quiche a la Julia.

Balance all that dairy with a large summer salad with fresh tomatoes.

Add a side dish of zucchini tian.

Think French as you cook, as you set the table.

My favorite floral dishes came from a trip to Provence.

Indulge in a decadent dessert. 

Like the Queen of Sheba Cake from Julia's cookbook.

Then gild the lily, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and some fresh raspberries

Eat, drink and remember to speak in her wonderful accent.

Sprinkle your conversation with French words and phrases.

Voila.

Bon Appetit.

C'est Merveilleux.

Vive la France.

Joyeux Anniversaire Julia!