About
"So, in making things more lively, I took along a hot plate and a big copper bowl and a great big balloon whisk, and I beat up some egg whites, which is something people hadn't seen very much. I also made an omelet. A lot of people saw this show and they wrote into the station and said, 'why can't we have a cooking show?'"
In her three-hour interview, Julia Child (1912-2004) discusses her early years in Pasadena, CA, and details her time with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS, forerunner to the CIA) during World War II. She describes moving to France after the war and becoming interested in French cooking, which led to her first book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking: Volume One. She describes her early television appearances, including a stint on Today, which kicked off a tour of local stations and led to her first PBS program, The French Chef. Child discusses her preparations for the show, what she hoped to accomplish with it, and how she viewed herself as a teacher. She recalls subsequent PBS series including Baking with Julia and Dinner at Julia's, reacts to the advent of The Food Network, and outlines what she feels is her influence on cooking in America. Michael Rosen conducted the interview on June 25, 1999 in Cambridge, MA.
Highlights
Julia Child on writing her first book "Mastering the Art of French Cooking"
Julia Child on how her PBS show, The French Chef, came about
Julia Child on being a female chef
Julia Child on her time in the OSS during World War II (continued)
Julia Child on The Food Network and keeping up the standards of good cooking
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On her early life; on moving to New York City
On her time in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II
Chapter 2
On serving in the OSS during World War II; on moving to Paris and her early interest in cooking
On attending Le Cordon Bleu; on authoring her first book "Mastering the Art of French Cooking"
Chapter 3
On her early appearance on Today; on traveling around the country promoting her first book; on how her PBS show, The French Chef, came about
Chapter 4
On the origins of The French Chef; on the format and budget of The French Chef; on the utensils used on the show
On preparing for The French Chef; on the educational and entertainment value of The French Chef; on reaction to the show
Chapter 5
On The French Chef switching from black and white to color; on the second version of The French Chef; on the cancellation of the show; on subsequent cooking programs
On her series Cooking with the Master Chefs; on The Food Network and "teaching" her audience
Chapter 6
On Baking with Julia; on the key to her success; on her influence; on advice and the importance of public television
On various people with whom she has worked
B-roll of Julia showing her kitchen and various cooking implements
Shows
French Chef, The
Julia Child on how her PBS show, The French Chef, came about
Julia Child on the origins of her popular cooking show, The French Chef
Julia Child on the format of her cooking show, The French Chef
Julia Child on the budget of The French Chef and the audience
Julia Child on the utensils used on The French Chef
Julia Child on preparing for The French Chef
Julia Child on the educational and entertainment value of The French Chef
Julia Child on sponsors for The French Chef
Julia Child on critical reaction and awards for The French Chef
Julia Child on The French Chef's switch from black and white to color
Julia Child on the return of The French Chef in 1970
Julia Child on the cancellation of The French Chef
Good Morning America
Julia Child on appearing on Good Morning America
Today
Julia Child on her appearance on the Today show while promoting her book
Topics
Network Creation
Julia Child on the advent of The Food Network and her "teaching" her audience
Representation on Television
Julia Child on being a female chef
Technological Innovation
Julia Child on The French Chef's switch from black and white to color
Television Industry
Julia Child on the advent of The Food Network and her "teaching" her audience
War
Julia Child on her time in the OSS during World War II (continued)
Julia Child on her time in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II
Women
Julia Child on being a female chef
World War II
Julia Child on her time in the OSS during World War II (continued)
Julia Child on her time in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II
Genres
Service Shows
Julia Child on her popular cooking show, The French Chef on PBS
Julia Child on The French Chef's switch from black and white to color