Today is "Julia Child's Birthday"
Aug 15, 2018 20:33:37 #
Today the French Chef Julia Child would of been 106. I was on assignment for Boston Today Magazine September 1978. These photographs were made in their home not the Channel 2 studio.
Photo 1 Julia's adding bread crumbs on the chicken chunks and mixed well all over then sautéed in a chafing dish while adding previous sautéed mushrooms to chicken with a dash of heavy cream chicken stock and tarragon.
Needs a little thickening she said, a blend of cornstarch and white wine will do it! A wonderful tasting lunch to prepare with a side of tomatoe, lettice, and cucumbers the freshest ever and cold too!
After all these years I still have not tried making this awesome dish. You can bet this will added to my dinner list. Julia placed the food on warm dishes from the oven.
It was quite an eventful experience eating in the Julia Child's kitchen sourounded by all those hanging copper pans and facing her large heavy black stove again filled and shelved all over with her loved kitchen tools and utensils.
Photo 3 Julia serving Paul, he's wearing his loved cameo ring that was mentioned in the movie "Julia and Julia" staring Meryl Streep. Of course I did not know this at the time of my assignment. I can see an important capture is made.
Photo 5 I asked Julia to stand at the fireplace with Paul and his glass of wine. Look at Julia looking at him. Also, Paul painted the painting above the fireplace.
This assignment was made September 1978 I was 30 yrs. Photo notes: Of course this is film, digital not available no auto cameras & auto focus lenses. Not 35mm either but Kodak 120mm TMAX 400 ASA roll film.
All photos made with HASSELBLAD 500c and 80 f2.8 mm, 50mm f4 w/a lenses. Two strobe set-up off camera with I designed. No studio lights with stands or assistance were used. I mounted a Matadore 400 200w/s strobe on a Hasselblad bracket with a compact Vivtar 283 strobe for flash fill w/ele eye.
Matadore 200 w/s was tilted straight up to bounce off ceiling and Vivitar was set to fill. I just walked around and snapped away! When Julia's husband Paul died, a friend called me to say she saw a short story in the NY TIMES, no story at all in the Boston newspapers!
I was touched by this news and sent Julia Child photo 3, Julia serving Paul. I printed a 8x10 mounted and framed with a two page letter. She wrote back! I was thrilled . . . that's another story. I'm impressed, a renowned personality chef wrote me. CIAO, AP
Photo 1 Julia's adding bread crumbs on the chicken chunks and mixed well all over then sautéed in a chafing dish while adding previous sautéed mushrooms to chicken with a dash of heavy cream chicken stock and tarragon.
Needs a little thickening she said, a blend of cornstarch and white wine will do it! A wonderful tasting lunch to prepare with a side of tomatoe, lettice, and cucumbers the freshest ever and cold too!
After all these years I still have not tried making this awesome dish. You can bet this will added to my dinner list. Julia placed the food on warm dishes from the oven.
It was quite an eventful experience eating in the Julia Child's kitchen sourounded by all those hanging copper pans and facing her large heavy black stove again filled and shelved all over with her loved kitchen tools and utensils.
Photo 3 Julia serving Paul, he's wearing his loved cameo ring that was mentioned in the movie "Julia and Julia" staring Meryl Streep. Of course I did not know this at the time of my assignment. I can see an important capture is made.
Photo 5 I asked Julia to stand at the fireplace with Paul and his glass of wine. Look at Julia looking at him. Also, Paul painted the painting above the fireplace.
This assignment was made September 1978 I was 30 yrs. Photo notes: Of course this is film, digital not available no auto cameras & auto focus lenses. Not 35mm either but Kodak 120mm TMAX 400 ASA roll film.
All photos made with HASSELBLAD 500c and 80 f2.8 mm, 50mm f4 w/a lenses. Two strobe set-up off camera with I designed. No studio lights with stands or assistance were used. I mounted a Matadore 400 200w/s strobe on a Hasselblad bracket with a compact Vivtar 283 strobe for flash fill w/ele eye.
Matadore 200 w/s was tilted straight up to bounce off ceiling and Vivitar was set to fill. I just walked around and snapped away! When Julia's husband Paul died, a friend called me to say she saw a short story in the NY TIMES, no story at all in the Boston newspapers!
I was touched by this news and sent Julia Child photo 3, Julia serving Paul. I printed a 8x10 mounted and framed with a two page letter. She wrote back! I was thrilled . . . that's another story. I'm impressed, a renowned personality chef wrote me. CIAO, AP
Aug 15, 2018 20:40:13 #
Aug 15, 2018 20:43:04 #
Excellent set, sure brings back memories when I used to watch her on PBS back in the day. Thanks for the memories.
Jim
Jim
Aug 16, 2018 01:55:24 #
AP wrote:
Today the French Chef Julia Child would of been 10... (show quote)
She cooked with wine. I understand she sometimes put some in the food.😀
Bill
Aug 16, 2018 06:50:46 #
Well, Happy Birthday, Julia! Thanks so much for sharing your story and photos! Very impressive! You are so lucky to have that memory and be able to share it with others. Did Paul also enjoy cooking? Or just eating? :)
Aug 16, 2018 07:20:12 #
AP wrote:
Today the French Chef Julia Child would of been 10... (show quote)
Happy Birthday Julia. ( I have several of Julia's cook books) She was a Great Chef
Aug 16, 2018 07:28:12 #
Thank you for sharing these wonderful memories! I have seen her whole kitchen........pots, pans and stove. It is now in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C.
Aug 16, 2018 08:00:18 #
Aug 16, 2018 08:54:14 #
Wonderful memories of an obviously wonderful career opportunity.
She inspired you to make such wonderful food and to share the process. Thank you for sharing your memories and great photos.
She inspired you to make such wonderful food and to share the process. Thank you for sharing your memories and great photos.
Aug 16, 2018 09:08:02 #
AP wrote:
Today the French Chef Julia Child would of been 10... (show quote)
Very nice post thanks for sharing
Aug 16, 2018 11:19:41 #
What wonderful stories along with some home pictures of a very famous couple. They must have had a strong attachment to you and your photographic skills to allow such a personal at home setting.
Special thanks for sharing.
Special thanks for sharing.
Aug 16, 2018 13:52:17 #
Treepusher wrote:
Happy Birthday, Julia! Cool shots! Thanks for sharing.
Thank You for your response, Treepusher! After this assignment and time past, I'm watching TV and I saw Julia Child on the Johnny Carson show! HOW'S THAT, Treepusher! AP
Aug 16, 2018 14:05:49 #
Love Wildlife wrote:
Excellent set, sure brings back memories when I used to watch her on PBS back in the day. Thanks for the memories.
Jim
Jim
Thank You for responding, Love Wildlife! Julia Child was the best person you could speak with. Kind, happy, and knew what to say and you felt good! These are my positive memories of her. AP
Aug 16, 2018 14:20:21 #
newtoyou wrote:
She cooked with wine. I understand she sometimes put some in the food.😀
Bill
Bill
Welcome. newtoyou! It seems Julia Child will always be talked about. She promoted cooking and evolved her love by husband Paul. Yes, she does add white wine, red wine, and vermouth, to her classic dinners. She was a master at experience! You too would her cooking. AP
Aug 16, 2018 15:00:58 #
aschweik wrote:
Well, Happy Birthday, Julia! Thanks so much for sharing your story and photos! Very impressive! You are so lucky to have that memory and be able to share it with others. Did Paul also enjoy cooking? Or just eating? :)
Audrey, nice of you to respond and welcome! In response to Paul Child. He was responsible for Julia's cooking success in cooking. Julia did not start cooking till she was 35yrs and, she was the first woman to graduate from the Le Cordon Bleu Cooking school in Paris, France 1958.
My hero cook was my grandmother Mary Kastanopoulas from Kalamata, Greece. I was only a little boy I loved watching her cooking and those remembered fragrances will never be forgotten!
Be creative when you cook you might be a hero! Always keep in touch Audrey! CIAO, AP
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