Happy 100th Birthday Anniversary Julia Child!

Perhaps one of the most influential, talented, and spirited American chefs of this era, Julia Child was one gifted woman. She is most recognized for introducing French cuisine to the American public, through both her cooking show The French Chef, which premiered in 1963, and her cooking book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

Child was born in Pasadena, California, the eldest of three children in 1912. She attended Smith College and earned a degree in English. At six feet, two inches, Child played a lot of sports growing up, and during World War II joined the Office of Strategic Services after finding out she was too tall to enlist in the Women’s Army Corps or in the U.S. Navy’s WAVES. While serving in the OSS, Child met her husband and eventually moved to Paris together when he was stationed there as part of serving in the U.S. Foreign Service. It was there, in France, Julia found her love for French cooking.

Although Child died in 2004, August 15 would have been her 100^th birthday. In honor of Julia, restaurants across America are doing tribute menus and there will be The French Chef marathons on WHRO Create, as well as social media challenges to re-create a favorite Julia dish.

Thanks Julia, for all your contributions to the culinary world!