Julia Child was a superstar cook, author of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and TV personality who changed the way Americans think about food. She did not learn to cook until being inspired by her husband Paul’s interest and sophisticated palate.
She attended the Cordon Bleu Cooking School in Paris, graduating in 1951, and formed an association with Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle. Together they researched and tested recipes, which she translated into English in a detailed, practical way in a book. Published in 1961, it became a standard cooking guide and a best- seller – still in print. In 1970 it was followed by volume two.
A tall woman (1.88 M) of immense energy with a great personality and helped by her devoted husband, Julia was the original celebrity chef, the star of 15 television series – which in those days were unedited, so blunders must have been rather endearing as they showed authenticity.
This was at a time when Americans were into frozen, highly processed and canned “convenience foods”. She was on TV well into her 80s, wrote 18 books and became a familiar part of American culture.
Directed by Betsy West and Julie Cohen (RBG, the documentary about US Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg) from archival footage, letters, photos and anecdotes this is a mouth- watering and inspiring documentary for foodies.
In Julia’s words: “We should enjoy food and have fun – it is one of the simplest and nicest pleasures in life”.
95 minutes.
Showing at Luna Leederville and Luna SX Fremantle from 4 November 4th.
Watch the trailer…
