Julia Child's 100th birthday

Julia Child's 100th birthday would have been Wednesday (Aug. 15-Google Doodle). The French Chef died in 2004, but fans in Seattle and around the world are celebrating the occasion (they're calling it "JC100") with homages to Child's good cheer and tremendous influence. Here are some ways to join in:

The University Bookstore is hosting a centennial celebration for Child at 7 p.m. Wednesday at its Seattle store. Local food writers, including Erica Bauermeister, Cynthia Nims, and Kathleen Flinn will share personal stories about Child and/or read from her letters. There will be French music, libations, and... mais oui, a birthday cake made from Mastering the Art of French Cooking. 

More than 100 restaurants are participating in a "Julia Child Restaurant Week". Locally, Bastille will offer a four-course $35 dinner inspired by Child. Bastille's Back Bar is airing episodes of Child's TV programs through the 15th. RN74 is offering a $65 Child-inspired tasting menu thoroughout August, and anyone who orders the meal on Wednesday will get a raffle ticket for a chance to win either "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" or the new Child biography, "Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child." Rover's will offer its Julia menu ($65) through Sept 2, as will little brother Luc with its $35 version. A complete list of participating restaurants is here. As Glenn Drosendahl notes, even Italian Assaggio is making an across-the-border tribute.

PBS is holding a Julia marathon, among other Julia-inspired projects. Locally, watch on KCTS for a 2-hour special, "Julia Child Memories: Bon Appetit!" airing Wednesday at noon. (Here's a preview.) Then there will be a Julia Child Marathon from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on KCTS's Create on Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th.

A new Julia Child cooking app has hit the shelves -- or, I should say, the smartphones. Kathleen Flinn reviews it here.

And, there will be prize giveaways all day on the 15th on the JC100 Twitter feed.

Of course, you can create a personal celebration -- you and a cookbook and a night spent making and eating a fine meal. Sole Meuniere, anyone?
source    seattletimes.nwsource.com