Salut Celebrating Julia Child's 100th Birthday

“If you're afraid of butter, use cream.” ― Julia Child

On Aug. 15, the indomitable Julia Child—who inspired legions of Americans to veer away from bland casseroles and take an adventuresome turn onto the road of French cuisine—would have turned 100. She brought France into the kitchen of Americans everywhere with her cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking, which made haute cuisine interesting and approachable. 

"Find something you're passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.” ― Julia Child

Julia reinvented her life in 1948 when she enrolled in Paris’ famous Le Cordon Bleu cooking school and let her love of French cuisine lead her down a path that made her a world-famous cookbook author and the first celebrity chef on television. Her inspirational life was recently chronicled in her best-selling autobiography My Life in France, and celebrated in the film Julie and Julia.

“You learn about great food by finding the best there is, whether simply or luxurious. Then you savor it, analyze it, and discuss it with your companions, and you compare it with other experiences.” ―Julia Child, Mastering the Art of French Cooking

Edina’s own Salut Bar Americain restaurant brings a taste of France to Minnesota with their hybrid French-American menu and "Mondays with Julia," which feature a weekly classic dish from her seminal cookbook.

"We’re among an exclusive group of restaurants nationwide selected to participate in Julia Child Restaurant Week," said SALUT’s creator, Phil Roberts of Parasole Restaurant Holdings. "Along with Chez Panisse and Bouchon, we’ll be joining Philadelphia’s legendary Le Bec-Fin, Jean Joho’s Everest restaurant in Chicago, and Danny Meyer’s Union Square Café and Charlie Palmer’s flagship Aureole restaurant in New York City."

From August 13-17, Salut will host a series of dinners featuring some of the most famous dishes from Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Offered both at SALUT in Edina and in St. Paul, the Julia Child Week menus are a collaboration among CJ Van Proosdy (Edina), Anthony Leonhardi (St. Paul) and James Beard Award-winner Tim McKee.  

On Aug. 15 (Julia’s birthday) Salut will offer a special 3-course meal to celebrate, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to Normandale Elementary School’s French Intern program, which brings young adults from France to Edina to enrich the immersion experience. 

“In France, cooking is a serious art form and a national sport.” ― Julia Child

According to Normandale’s website, the Intern program increases students' opportunities to hear French spoken by native speakers and provides unique exhanges opporutnties both in the schools and the community.

"Having a second French-speaking adult in the classroom deepens immersion by providing more small-group experiences, as well as regular opportunities to listen to adults conversing in French," the site says.

So, drink a toast to the amazing Julia on her birthday and remember her invariable advice to people:

“Learn how to cook- try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless, and above all have fun!” ― Julia Child, My Life in France

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