WestportREADS Dining Series featuring “My Life In France,” by Julia Child

ellen bowen December 18, 2013

Shortly after docking in Le Harve, Julia Child had the lunch that changed her life. It was sole meuniere, and Julia said "It was the most exciting meal of my life. " Julia and Paul Child lived in Paris and Marseilles from 1948 to 1954, and it was during that time Julia developed the love of French food and the skills that made her famous. Paul fell in love with Julia because she was always herself, and America fell in love with her for the same reason. My Life in France tells the story of Julia Child's life: how she came to be an expert on French cuisine, revolutionize the writing of cookbooks and become the world's first celebrity chef.

Each January, The Westport Library selects a book and an author to be celebrated by the entire community through their popular WestportREADS program.

This year’s selection, the iconic autobiography , My Life in France, by Julia Child, tells the inspiring, and at times humorous story of a young woman’s discovery of France, fine food, and a passion for cooking.

In conjunction with this event, CTbites is holding a curated dinner series, “Dine Around Town With Julia,” offering the opportunity to dine and sample many of her most famous dishes; Boeuf Bourguignon, Coq Au Vin, Poisson Meuniere, and Cassoulet in a private setting with local chefs and in local restaurants in celebration of what would have been Julia Childs 100^th year. The dinners, priced at $100 pp, include 3 courses, 2 glasses of wine, tax and tip and are limited availability. A portion of the proceeds benefits programming for the Westport Library.

Written in 2006, with co-author and great nephew, Alex Prud’homme, My Life In France. will be celebrated by the Westport Library with an ambitious and activity packed month-long celebration which includes talks by both her co-author, Alex Prud’homme, on Sunday January 5^th, and her editor at Alfred Knopf, Judith Jones, on Sunday January 26^th, screening of the acclaimed film, “Julie and Juila”, which garnered Meryl Streep an Oscar for her portrayal of Julia, cooking classes for kids, and a fabulous dinner series co-sponsored by CTbites!