Love What You Do!

The International Culinary Center had the opportunity to host a panel called “Remembering Julia.” Anne Willan, the legendary founder of La Varenne, Sara Moulton who worked with Julia on Good Morning America, and none other than Julia’s famed editor, Judith Jones, joined me for a rollicking good remembrance of Julia. I can attest that these ladies really did know Julia…and very well. In fact, Judith Jones was even portrayed in the movie, Julie and Julia. However, Judith says that particular scene never happened!

We reminisced on what an inspiring and iconoclastic person Julia was. She broke the mold in so many ways and was such an independent thinker. She loved good authentic food. She hated phonies. She never endorsed a product. She took under her wing many young people who wanted a career in food. She loved politics (a staunch democrat) and was a true believer in human rights.

Anne Willan, Sara Moulton and Judith Jones sharing memories of Julia

Sara Moulton, Cynthia Peithman, Anne Willan, Judith Jones, Annette Tomei, Angela Dimino, Dorothy Hamilton

She loved reverse martinis, a good hamburger and soignee food. Judith Jones relayed that last statement. Julia had said it on a stage in a small town in Vermont. People didn’t know what soignee meant. Julia said, “well, its when you take a perfectly ripened green bean, snip the ends, take the strings off, place an appropriate amount on a properly sized plate, a slight butter bath and sprinkle with fleur de sel”. Now, when you realize that the actual definition of soignee is “well dressed and groomed, showing sophistication”, one realizes that Julia’s vocabulary was heavily weighted with food in mind!

August 15th would be Julia’s 100th birthday. Let’s all celebrate her life and work with some good, honest, soignee food and a glass of good wine. And have you ever had a reverse martini? Perhaps on August 15th, you should try one in Julia’s honor. She was a true hero of mine.

The cake!