For me, one of the best ways to show love is by cooking for someone—or enjoying a meal that someone has lovingly prepared just for you. Growing up, some of my favorite pastimes were spending time in the kitchen with my grandmother or baking cakes with my mom or best friend. Maybe that’s why I have so many fond memories tied to cooking, and why I’m obsessed with cooking shows and movies centered around gastronomy. It calms me, sparks my creativity, and fills me with joy.
Lately, I’ve been deep in a Julia Child obsession. It amazes me how much we take for granted everything she accomplished—not just in terms of cooking great food but also in bringing French cuisine to the U.S. Without her, we might not have as many of the movies, TV shows, and even cooking competitions that inspire us nowadays.
So, today, I’m sharing some recommendations if you want to learn more about her. These might not be brand-new discoveries, but if you’re like me and love rewatching old favorites, consider this a reminder of what’s worth revisiting.
I’ve decided to cook one of her recipes per week, just like Julie Powell did. But unlike Julie, who ambitiously took on a recipe every single day, I’m keeping things much more low-key.
If you don’t know who Julie Powell is, I highly recommend watching this movie. And if you’ve already seen it, now is the perfect time for a rewatch.
Julie & Julia is a biographical film that intertwines the lives of two women: Julia Child, as she discovers French cuisine and works to publish her groundbreaking cookbook, and Julie Powell, a struggling writer who embarks on a year-long challenge to cook all 524 recipes from Julia’s book—blogging about the experience along the way.
I find this movie incredibly comforting, and honestly, you can never go wrong with Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci together. (P.S.: Tucci also has a fantastic TV show called Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy and has published four cookbooks.)
My newfound obsession with Julia Child started after I began watching this TV show on Max. It follows her rise to fame with The French Chef, showing how she revolutionized television and paved the way for modern cooking shows.
And an extra bonus? It was filmed in the Boston area! Seeing the characters stroll through the Boston Public Garden fills me with so much joy.
Continuing Julia’s journey through the places she once lived, this TV show is set at her former home in the South of France. It follows four friends who transformed Julia Child’s estate into a culinary retreat, where students take cooking classes in her iconic kitchen—sometimes even using her actual utensils.
Watching it, I couldn’t help but imagine what it must have been like to learn from Julia herself—something that once happened right here at the French Library!
If you’re passionate about cooking, be sure to keep an eye on our cooking classes!
Our Gastronomy & Wine Program offers classes in English, where you’ll learn to make French and Francophone classics—from savory dishes to the most delicious desserts and pastries.
If you’re looking to take your skills to the next level, our French Culinary Atelier is perfect for those who already have some French under their belt. It’s a fantastic way to improve your language skills while mastering French cuisine.
These classes sell out fast, so don’t miss your chance!
Lately, I’ve been deep in a Julia Child obsession. It amazes me how much we take for granted everything she accomplished—not just in terms of cooking great food but also in bringing French cuisine to the U.S. Without her, we might not have as many of the movies, TV shows, and even cooking competitions that inspire us nowadays.
So, today, I’m sharing some recommendations if you want to learn more about her. These might not be brand-new discoveries, but if you’re like me and love rewatching old favorites, consider this a reminder of what’s worth revisiting.
Mastering the Art of French Cooking
Before we dive into TV, we have to start with what brought Julia to us in the first place—her book. Published in 1961, it was the first of its kind in the U.S. I just bought a copy and went through the introduction and the section on how to best use it, and oh, it feels like reading notes from my grandma—explaining everything to me with so much patience.I’ve decided to cook one of her recipes per week, just like Julie Powell did. But unlike Julie, who ambitiously took on a recipe every single day, I’m keeping things much more low-key.
Julie & Julia
If you don’t know who Julie Powell is, I highly recommend watching this movie. And if you’ve already seen it, now is the perfect time for a rewatch.
Julie & Julia is a biographical film that intertwines the lives of two women: Julia Child, as she discovers French cuisine and works to publish her groundbreaking cookbook, and Julie Powell, a struggling writer who embarks on a year-long challenge to cook all 524 recipes from Julia’s book—blogging about the experience along the way.
I find this movie incredibly comforting, and honestly, you can never go wrong with Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci together. (P.S.: Tucci also has a fantastic TV show called Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy and has published four cookbooks.)
Julia
My newfound obsession with Julia Child started after I began watching this TV show on Max. It follows her rise to fame with The French Chef, showing how she revolutionized television and paved the way for modern cooking shows.
And an extra bonus? It was filmed in the Boston area! Seeing the characters stroll through the Boston Public Garden fills me with so much joy.
La Pitchoune: Cooking in France
Continuing Julia’s journey through the places she once lived, this TV show is set at her former home in the South of France. It follows four friends who transformed Julia Child’s estate into a culinary retreat, where students take cooking classes in her iconic kitchen—sometimes even using her actual utensils.
Watching it, I couldn’t help but imagine what it must have been like to learn from Julia herself—something that once happened right here at the French Library!
If you’re passionate about cooking, be sure to keep an eye on our cooking classes!
Our Gastronomy & Wine Program offers classes in English, where you’ll learn to make French and Francophone classics—from savory dishes to the most delicious desserts and pastries.
If you’re looking to take your skills to the next level, our French Culinary Atelier is perfect for those who already have some French under their belt. It’s a fantastic way to improve your language skills while mastering French cuisine.
These classes sell out fast, so don’t miss your chance!
Bruna Franco
Marketing & Membership Manager
Bruna first joined the Center as a member, looking for an opportunity to practice French and to be around French culture. She is now thrilled to be the Membership Manager and to provide members with the amazing experience she was previously able to enjoy herself. She is a native Portuguese speaker who, by the age of eight, knew she wanted to be multilingual someday. Working at the French Library now seems like a dream come true.
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