Julia Child

Show Creator / Host
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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

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.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"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?'"

People Talking About ...
Julia Child
Highlights
Julia Child on writing her first book "Mastering the Art of French Cooking"
06:28
Julia Child on how her PBS show, The French Chef, came about
05:38
Julia Child on being a female chef
01:28
Julia Child on her time in the OSS during World War II (continued)
06:46
Julia Child on The Food Network and keeping up the standards of good cooking
02:33
Full Interview

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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

View Show Page
Julia Child on how her PBS show, The French Chef, came about
05:38
Julia Child on the origins of her popular cooking show, The French Chef
06:15
Julia Child on the format of her cooking show, The French Chef  
04:13
Julia Child on the budget of The French Chef and the audience
03:40
Julia Child on the utensils used on The French Chef
01:50
Julia Child on preparing for The French Chef
03:31
Julia Child on the educational and entertainment value of The French Chef
01:16
Julia Child on sponsors for The French Chef
01:50
Julia Child on critical reaction and awards for The French Chef
02:27
Julia Child on The French Chef's switch from black and white to color
02:31
Julia Child on the return of The French Chef in 1970
03:40
Julia Child on the cancellation of The French Chef
00:55

Good Morning America

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Julia Child on appearing on Good Morning America
01:21

Today

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Julia Child on her appearance on the Today show while promoting her book
02:20
Topics

Network Creation

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Julia Child on the advent of The Food Network and her "teaching" her audience
03:52

Representation on Television

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Julia Child on being a female chef
01:28

Technological Innovation

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Julia Child on The French Chef's switch from black and white to color
02:00

Television Industry

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Julia Child on the advent of The Food Network and her "teaching" her audience
03:52

War

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Julia Child on her time in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II
15:23
Julia Child on her time in the OSS during World War II (continued)
06:46

Women

View Topic
Julia Child on being a female chef
01:28

World War II

View Topic
Julia Child on her time in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II
15:23
Julia Child on her time in the OSS during World War II (continued)
06:46
Genres

Service Shows

View Genre
Julia Child on her popular cooking show, The French Chef  on PBS
26:30
Julia Child on The French Chef's switch from black and white to color
02:00

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