Julia Child was full of wisdom both in and out of the kitchen. Here are some of the best life lessons you can learn from the queen of French cuisine.
The 10 Best Things Julia Child Ever Said
Updated Jul. 12, 2022
Julia Child changed the world of cooking with her approachable take on French cuisine. Her world-renowned TV programs were unedited, giving viewers access to some of the messy mistakes that are often inevitable when cooking. A layer cake that falls apart, a pancake that doesn’t flip, an omelet gone rogue—she brushed each one off with grace and humor. As she put it, “The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking, you’ve got to have a what-the-hell attitude.”
Words of wisdom like these made her not only a wonderful teacher in the kitchen, but also a source of profound life lessons. And she served each with a dose of humor. So grab a stick of butter and put on your pearl necklace. Here are some of our favorite Julia Child quotes.
1. “I was 32 when I started cooking. Up until then, I just ate.”
Julia Child famously didn’t learn how to cook until her 30s, proving that it’s never too late to learn something new. Also, if you just want to eat, that’s OK, too.
2. “A party without cake is just a meeting.”
Ain’t that the truth? If you ever invite us to a party without a cake, consider yourself unfriended. And pie will not do.
3. “I think every woman should have a blowtorch.”
Her TV show began before the feminist movement, making this quote even more profound. Recommending power tools to housewives in the 1960s? We love it!
4. “People who love to eat are always the best people.”
Have you ever gone to dinner with a person on a diet? Not fun.
5. “It is hard to imagine a civilization without onions.”
According to Child, the flavor of onions blends perfectly into any dish (except dessert). Would civilization turn to chaos without onions? We don’t want to find out.
6. “With enough butter, anything is good.”
Her love of butter went against the mainstream attitude at the time. Most feared that butter would raise their cholesterol. Child was once again ahead of her time. Experts now advise that it’s fine in moderation (like pretty much everything!).
7. “Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.”
Her passion for cooking made her an icon, and it all started as a hobby while she lived in France. She said you can never learn enough about the things you love.
8. “Always remember: If you’re alone in the kitchen and you drop the lamb, you can always just pick it up. Who’s going to know?”
In a world of perfectly polished social media posts, a little imperfection is more than refreshing. She wasn’t afraid of making mistakes and always taught us to learn from them.
9. “I enjoy cooking with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food…”
Feeling intimidated by a recipe? Make like Julia and pour a glass of wine (or two!).
10. “Just speak very loudly and quickly, and state your position with utter conviction, as the French do, and you’ll have a marvelous time!”
In other words, fake it ’til you make it. Doesn’t this make you want to throw on an apron and start ordering people around the kitchen? Add the before-mentioned wine and cake, and this does indeed sound like a marvelous time.
Our Favorite Recipes Inspired by Julia Child
French BreadOnce you make this easy French bread recipe, you'll never go back to store-bought loaves. Here are our best tips on how to bake it.
Cauliflower au GratinCount on this dish to make new vegetable converts. Whenever I serve it, people ask me for the recipe. Sometimes I’ll substitute broccoli for all or half the cauliflower, and the green veggie tastes just as good! —Jacki Ricci, Ely, Nevada
Banana CrepesI like to serve this impressive treat at parties. The pleasant banana-orange flavor makes it wonderful for dinner or brunch. —Freda Becker, Garrettsville, Ohio
Salmon Mousse CupsI make these tempting little tarts frequently for parties. They disappear at an astonishing speed, so I usually double or triple the recipe. The salmon-cream cheese filling and flaky crust will melt in your mouth. —Fran Rowland, Phoenix, Arizona
Chocolate Gingerbread Yule LogIf you’ve tasted a yule log sponge cake, you’ll love this version with fresh ginger and spices. The holiday stunner can be made ahead. —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Cassoulet for the GangWine lends a warm background taste to this take on a traditional French stew. The recipe feeds 10, making it a great option when you’re expecting guests—or wanting some leftovers for weekday lunches! &mdash Lynn Stein, Joseph, Oregon
Slow-Cooker Beef BourguignonSlow-cooker beef bourguignon simmers all day so you can enjoy a traditional French dinner tonight.
Inspired by: Chocolate MousseA friend shared this rich velvety chocolate mousse recipe with me. I love to cook and have tons of recipes, but this one is a favorite. Best of all, it's easy to make. —Judy Spencer, San Diego, California
Lemon TartThis sunshiny lemon tart recipe will make everyone smile. It is a simple treat with intense citrus flavors, and it can be easily decorated for elegant events.
Backyard Red Potato SaladHere's a potato salad that has no mayo, so it’s perfect for outdoor picnics. Plus, it looks just as good as it tastes. —Holly Bauer, West Bend, Wisconsin
Easy Vanilla Buttercream FrostingAfter trying a few buttercream frosting recipes, this easy vanilla buttercream frosting takes the cake with its unmatchable homemade taste. With a few simple variations, you can come up with different colors and flavors. —Diana Wilson, Denver, Colorado
Herb-Topped Stuffed TomatoesThis simple treatment perfectly complements the fresh taste of tomatoes. Serve as a side dish to any entree or as a fresh summer appetizer. Mary E. Relyea - Canastota, New York
Spring Essence Soup with PistouDuring the last part of April one year, I picked what I had available in the garden. I found oregano, leeks, asparagus and rhubarb. This became the base for an essence-of-spring recipe. The rhubarb adds a citrus element, which is balanced by the nutty, earthy pistou. It is truly a layering of flavors. —Laurie Bock, Lynden, Washington
Meringue Shells with Lemon CurdWe love a dazzling dessert of meringue shells filled with sunny lemon curd. It’s sweet and tart, crunchy and fluffy. Top this lemon curd dessert with whipped cream and berries. —Kris Brill, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Chicken Nicoise SaladThis salad makes it easy to eat what’s good for you. It’s versatile, so you can use asparagus in place of green beans and salmon instead of tuna, or add garden tomatoes. And if you follow the keto diet, you'll be happy to know this is a keto chicken salad. —Nick Monfre, Oak Ridge, New Jersey
Lemon & Sage Roasted ChickenWhether it’s soaking in marinade or baking in the oven, this easy-to-prepare chicken allows ample hands-free time. —Jan Valdez, Chicago, Illinois
RatatouilleThis easy ratatouille recipe is a celebration of summer vegetables. It brings the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean to your table, whether you enjoy it as a hearty main course or a light and refreshing side dish.
French Onion SoupThis rich and comforting French onion soup recipe is surprisingly simple to make at home. And it rivals the soup you’ll find at any restaurant.
Pan-Fried Chicken ThighsPan-fried chicken thighs are the easiest, tastiest weeknight dinner you can make. Dress them up with your favorite spices and sides and you have got a meal in a flash.
The Best Cheesy Scalloped PotatoesWhat makes this the best out of all the cheesy scalloped potatoes recipes out there? I slice them extra thin and toss them in an amazingly rich sauce. Then, to make them the best ever, I sprinkle homemade bread crumbs on top—they get nice and crispy in the oven. Make room for these at all your family get-togethers. —Aria Thornton, Taste of Home Prep Cook
Originally Published: November 16, 2017
