Julia Child (1912-2004)

We wanted to pass along some interesting (and little known) facts about America’s favorite chef to get you prepared for the upcoming Julia Child movie.

*She was 6′2″. Her husband, Paul, had to have 38″ cabinets specially made for her.

*She worked for the Office of Strategic Services (later part of the CIA) under the leader of the OSS. There she helped develop a repellent to keep sharks away from Navy mines targeting German u-boats.

*She lived in Sri Lanka, China and France.

*Her 734-page cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, was rejected by Houghton Mifflin publishing for being too encyclopedia-esque.

*She introduced the food processor on her television show The French Chef to home cooks everywhere.

*She died 2 days before her 92nd birthday. She attributed her longevity to Gin and red meat.

*Her parting words were always “Bon Appetit”

*If there were no Julia Child, there might not be an Elizabeth Karmel or so many other chefs that we love today

Check out Meryl Streep as Julia Child in Julie & Julia (in theaters on Friday, August 7^th), or check your local PBS listing to see the real Julia. There may just be a Julia Child marathon this weekend!