The Legacy of Julia Child’s Kitchen with Author And Smithsonian Curator Paula J. Johnson

TOMS RIVER – Delve into the legacy of cooking icon Julia Child with author, Smithsonian curator, and public historian Paula J. Johnson during a virtual discussion at 2 p.m. Tuesday, August 4.

Johnson is the author of the book Julia Child’s Kitchen: The Design, Tools, Stories and Legacy of an Iconic Space, featuring interviews with chefs who knew Child, commentary on her favorite culinary tools and gadgets, and a stunning array of photos sure to warm your heart and make your stomach rumble.

Julia child’s 20’ x 14’ kitchen was a serious workspace and recipe-tasting lab that exuded a sense of midcentury homey comfort. It has been on display at the National Museum of American History in Washington D.C. for over 20 years and museum goers have made it a top destination.

The kitchen contains over 1,000 parts and pieces, including tools, appliances, utensils, furniture, artwork, knick-knacks, books, and bits of whimsy, all reflecting Child’s status as an accomplished chef, gastronome, delightful cooking teacher, television trailblazer, women’s advocate, mentor, and generous, jovial friend.

Paula J. Johnson is a curator and public historian at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. She conducts research, collects objects relating to the history and culture of American food, and serves as the Director of the Smithsonian’s Food History Project. Johnson was one of the curators who collected Julia Child’s home kitchen in 2001 and led the team that created FOOD: Transforming the American Table, a multi-layered exhibition that explores the major changes in food production, distribution and consumption in the United States since the 1950s. Johnson is the author of many articles and three books.

Julia Child’s Kitchen is a must-have for every serious home cook and Julia Child fan. It is available to borrow for free for Ocean County Library cardholders. Visit tinyurl.com/JuliaChildBookOCL to request your copy today.

Registration is required for this free program. To register, visit tinyurl.com/JuliaChildOCL, call 732-349-6200, or visit your local OCL branch.