"I was 32 when I started cooking; up until then, I just ate."
– Julia Child
Julia Child made the short list for heroes not because I ever want to conquer Mastering the Art of French Cooking, which I assuredly do not. It was her ceaseless determination to learn something new in mid-life, while in a completely new environment, and to do so with such zest and enthusiasm that American cooking was changed forever by her accomplishment.
I have no interest in cooking at the level that she did, or cooking anything French, for that matter. You aren't going to get me near an aspic. But Child spent a decade dedicated to translating the art of French cuisine, the second love of her life, into a format that an American publisher would accept. This tenacity, and the enthusiasm with which she went about this project, brought her a new career and a place as an American icon. THAT is Amazing. Impressive. Inconceivable. (I can hardly keep a project going for a few months, much less 10 years.)
And what a zest for living! You only have to look at this postcard of her and her dear husband, Paul, to see that she loved life and was not shy about embracing it.
Reading My Life in France, which is her own biography which she co-authored, sealed the deal for me. (Lovely and interesting book, by the way. I highly recommend.) This woman wasn't out to impress anyone, she was just following her passion wherever it led. What a great example, especially as 40 is the next big thing for me!
There are loads of interesting websites that provide more information about Julia's life and cooking career (coolest one is the Smithsonian's), but really you can just watch this YouTube video of her teaching how to cook an omelet to see, not only How To Cook an Omelet (!), but what an interesting personality she was. Bon Appetit!
