I have to be honest - I am jealous of Julie Powell. You know, the girl who wrote the blog and book about how she cooked her way through Julia Child's recipes, which became the basis for the film "Julie and Julia." I'm jealous, of course, because I didn't come up with the idea myself - and just a little bitter that my mother chose to name me Jennifer rather than Julie.
My envy began months ago. When I first saw Julie and Julia in the bookstore, I felt that I had been robbed. Julia Child belonged to me, didn't she? That I had never met her in person mattered not - that is how powerful Julia's connection was with her audience. Besides, I did know Julia... sort of. In fact, I may have been the last person to interview her before she passed away.
In the summer of 2004, I was working on a book project at KCET when my editor asked me to interview and write about one of the station's greatest supporters - Julia Child.
I literally jumped with joy. You see, Julia was my idol. Having lived in France myself, I had also fallen in love with "real food" based on one meal. I connected deeply with Julia's joy - the joy of creating something incredible in the kitchen, the joy of sharing it with loved ones. I, too, get over the moon about a great bowl of Bouillabaisse or an exceptional Daube de Boeuf. I, too, eschew the idea of cooking non-fat "diet" cuisine, firmly of the mind that eating one delicious chocolate chip cookie (preferably loaded with pecans) is far better than eating four sugar-free chocolate chip cookies. I, like Julia, would rather do without. I, like Julia, loved and married a man named Paul. I've even written two cookbooks myself (okay, perhaps titles like "Bitchin' In the Kitchen - the PMS Survival Cookbook" and "Barefoot in the Kitchen" aren't serious gourmet titles, but they count). But I digress. To put it simply, I felt I knew her already.
I scheduled my interview through Julia's longtime assistant, while another friend of Julia's at KCET, Michelle, suggested that she come along to break the ice (and take photos!). I gladly agreed, and began to count the days. I pulled out my favorite cookbook "From Julia Child's Kitchen," the pages stained from use, which Michelle suggested I bring along for Julia to autograph. I considered what, if any, gift I could bring her as a thank you for her inspiration, finally settling on one of my own cookbooks, which Michelle insisted would be just the right gesture for Julia.
On the day of the interview, I was on my way out the door to Santa Barbara when I got a call from Julia's assistant. Julia had fallen ill, and the interview would have to be rescheduled. My heart sank, not just because I wouldn't meet her that day, but because though I'd never met Ms. Child, I cared about her. I knew how old she was, and that her health had been flailing. I didn't want her to be sick.
The day before the rescheduled interview date, her assistant called again. Julia was still not better. In fact, if I didn't mind, could I please fax Julia the interview questions in advance. I did so, and a few days later, I received a fax back. I was delighted with Julia's thoughtful responses i.e., other than French or American, she "adored Chinese cuisine"; she is open minded to new food trends such as RAW food, but "prefers a good burger herself"; and she "never takes seconds" (so far the only major difference in our dietary habits!). And, always the lady, she refused to comment on Martha Stewart's woes.
It was soon decided that instead of a full interview, which might prove too strenuous for Julia, perhaps Michelle and I could just come for lunch, where I might ask her to expand on one or two of the interview questions. I was thrilled with the idea, but went ahead and wrote my piece for KCET based on some of Julia's answers. Unfortunately, the lunch never happened.
On August 13, Julia passed away. I had never met her, but I loved her, and I was deeply saddened.
One of the things I admired most about Ms. Child was the way she encouraged us to forget about perfection and just enjoy the process (she even messed up in the kitchen on TV a few times just to prove it!). In a world where so much has gone awry, this seems like great advice, in or out of the kitchen.
I've just come back from seeing "Julie and Julia," and while the film is nowhere near perfect, Meryl Streep's rendition of Julia is. Amy Adams plays a fine version of Julie Powell, though my envy most certainly colored my opinion. In the film, there is a scene where Julie cries when she learns that Julia does not approve of her blog. "She thinks I'm using her," Julie sobs, while half the audience shifts uncomfortably, thinking of course you used her. According to the film, Ms. Powell didn't even own a single Julia Child cookbook until she decided to blog about it. Either way, bravo to her for being clever enough to find a way to get noticed, and for becoming the writer she always dreamed of. As for me, I am thinking of starting a blog of my own... do you think "Jenny and Giada" has a good ring to it?
Julie & Julia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
YouTube - Julie & Julia - Official Trailer
I still cook many of the recipes from Childs' classic. They are, after all, classics, and you can't improve all that much on a classic.
Julie did own Julia's cookbook. Or I should say, she stole her Mother's copy when she moved to New York.
I think the movie missed how influential Julia was on Julie. They both love their husbands. They love food. They love to cook. Julie was working under the strain of a more than full time job. Shopping and cooking for her husband would add another 8 hours to an already long day. Often they would eat at midnight. Then Julie would awake at 4:30 am to blog her thoughts. If I had to endure a schedule like that, voluntary or not, I'd be cranky and complaining too.
Julie's project was an exercise in character building as well. She felt she never finished a project. Her mother told her as much. So she stubbornly trudged through the book. Eventually it became a joy rather than a burden. She may not have mastered the art of French cooking but she did get better. And there are times when she takes what she has learned from Julia and applies it. Sometimes it's creating her own recipe. And sometimes it's in how she handles life.
Julie Powell has created a resurgence of interest in Julia Child and her cooking. What started as a stunt is furthering the philosophy of Julia Child. Good food. Just in time to coincide with the locavore, slow food movement.
Read Julie's blog.
http://blogs.salon.com/0001399/2002/08/25.html
"According to the film, Ms. Powell didn't even own a single Julia Child cookbook until she decided to blog about it."
OTOH.....to be fair....when reading the book it does seem Powell never really thought many would be reading her blog...
1/2 cup olive oil
1 cup thinly cut onion rings (yellow onion works best)
1/2 cup barley miso
In a sauce pan gently place in layers, first the olive oil, line with the onion rings and then dollop in pea size drops the barley miso from a wooden spoon. Cover and heat on low for 20-25 minutes until the onions are glazed and the miso is melting.
Keeps in the refrigerator for a week, use on top of brown rice, or spread cold on a cracker or piece of french bread.
I loved your post.
i would have to say that i appreciate your honesty in using the word "jealous"
I think it is a good idea to examine these feelings. The first part is to admit them!
You know, I am not sure that envy or the like really goes anywhere, except if it spurs you on!
Well, you wrote a post about it, published on Huffpo, and that is because you tapped into something lots of people may have felt, but you found a way to say it.
Now, that is what writing is all about, and I think you have found your way. by telling about yourself and truths we can all relate to.
All the best.
You go!
I thought about this, and I do not think we should just keep our eyes on our own road. I think what you have done is say something personally that many bloggers feel.
That is the brilliance of your post; to write honestly of your own feeling that others secretly share.
For the writer to just say "this is my own road" is to dismiss what is really going on.
"jealousy" is a motivator!
Interesting to consider.
Let us take the "road" as a metaphor and "envy"
For someone in rural Africa, a bicycle is something of envy. In China a bicycle is something of the past, and the person looking at a fancy car may imagine how great it would be to zip around out of the elements. In my city, I now look at the bicyclist as one who is fancy free from gas prices and the like and who can meet up with other bicyclists and have a fun time and get fit to boot!
Now, wherever you are in this experience, this grand circle, there are so many others who feel the same way. We are all on a journey, and writer such as you who can break out and speak to these commonalities is not on your own road, but a road shared with many others.
That was the great beauty of your post.
Very best regards
A delightful post Jennifer ... how fortunate to have gotten as far as you did, and live in France, (now I'll admit, I am jealous = )
I left my Julia Child cookbook on the shelf while I experimented with Gourmet magazine recipes, (converted to vegan whenever possible), as well as Southern Italian.