This is the first part of my Bon Appetit series celebrating the life and legacy of my friend and mentor Julia Child whose 100th birthday would have been on August 15, 2012.
Who was Julia Child, and what made her such an icon so beloved by generations of cooks and chefs? In Part 1, I talk with people who were close to Julia to find out: biographer Bob Spitz and her journalist grand-nephew Alex Prud’homme who co-wrote Julia’s memoir, “My Life in France”. I also speak with Julia’s long-time friend and editor Judith Jones who discovered Child by publishing her iconic first book, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking”, and who worked with her throughout her career.