Backstage with Julia: My Years with Julia Child

Barr (We Called it Macaroni) here offers a lovingly written memoir of her years working with and learning from Julia Child. As Child′s executive chef for almost 20 years and a producer for Good Morning America and Baking with Julia, she is able to provide a unique glimpse into the early world of culinary television. Of course, she also reveals Child, who comes off witty, warm, and dedicated–to her people and her profession. It was Child′s support and encouragement that enabled Barr to form a successful career out of a passionate hobby. The book′s greatest strength lies in how Barr has captured the voice and personality of her friend and mentor; her stories about the woman, whether involving a stop for a hot dog at a roadside stand or the graceful way that Child handled mistakes, will enable readers to make a new connection to this larger–than–life figure who did so much to change the perception of food and cooking in America. Recommended for most public libraries. (Photographs not seen.)
—Rosemarie Lewis, Broward Cty. P.L., Fort Lauderdale, FL (Library Journal, May 1, 2007)

“…a lovingly written memoir of her years working with and learning from Julia Child…a unique glimpse into the early world of culinary television.” (Library Journal, May 1, 2007)

“delightful and sprightly backstage look at life with Child ” (Publishers Weekly, April 2, 2007)

At the time Barr joined Julia′s team, Julia had long been a celebrity. But as Barr soon realized, Julia didn′t act like a celebrity. Julia in real life was the same Julia everyone saw on screen—dedicated to the art of cooking, brimming with energy, and full of fun—only more so. Whether flirting with Charlie Gibson on Good Morning America, lighting biscotti wrappers on fire at an Italian restaurant, or stopping for a hot dog at ten o′clock in the morning (“Why not?”), Julia was the life of the party—and she invited everyone around her to join in the fun.

As Barr took on more and more work with Julia, she became not only a colleague, but a friend. Barr takes us along as she helps orchestrate television tapings, food photo shoots, and live demonstrations—and marvels at Julia′s unflagging energy (no one was allowed to utter the “t” word—”tired”), her wide–ranging curiosity, and her special knack for getting past flubs and setbacks. We meet Julia′s beloved husband, Paul, and their extended family of siblings, nieces, and friends, and see what it was really like to have dinner at Julia′s (hint: you were required to help cook). And we vacation with Julia in Venice, discovering her mixed feelings about Italian food (she never quite saw the point of pasta).

Brimming with stories, anecdotes, and snapshots, Backstage with Julia captures the essence of Julia Child—her generosity, her high spirits, and her openness to new ideas and adventures. It′s a loving portrait of a woman who changed the way Americans thought about food and brightened the lives of everyone who knew her.