Happy 100th Birthday, Julia Child!

Julia has been an influential woman for decades now, and not just in the culinary world. She was strong-minded but never took herself too seriously, and her French cooking techniques were perfectly classic. We hope that Julia Child can inspire you as much as she has inspired us. She once said, “You never want to go out with a whimper,” and we are happy to know she listened to her own advice. 

—Lauren Katz, Online Intern

Want more? Check out our 6 fun facts about Julia & Rachael here!

Julia & Rachael Fact #7: Better Butter

Rachael was raised on a Mediterranean diet, so she cooks with olive oil (EVOO, to be exact). Meanwhile, Julia’s French training lead her to cook with butter (753 lbs. for the Baking with Julia series!).

Julia Child’s 100th birthday is just around the corner!

Fact #6: Emm-mazing Entertaining

In 1966, Julia Child won an Emmy Award for her cooking show, The French Chef. Forty years later, Rachael Ray won an Emmy for her show, 30-Minute Meals. 

Julia and Rach Fact #5: Birthday Bash

With birthdays only 10 days apart, Julia and Rachael have different zodiac signs (Julia is a Leo and Rach is a Virgo). They would have made a wonderful team, as Leo teaches Virgo about fun and excitement while Virgo teaches Leo about patience and rationale. 

Julia & Rach Fact #4: The Way to a Man’s Heart is Through His Stomach

Both leading ladies have husbands with unusual careers: Julia’s hubby, Paul Cushing Child, was an OSS employee and Rach’s main squeeze, John Cusimano, is a lawyer and lead singer of the rock band, The Cringe.

Julia and Rachael Fact #3: The Tall and the Short

Julia Child would have towered over 5’3” Rachael Ray. She was even too tall to enlist in the Women’s Army Corps, as she stood at 6’2”! 

Julia Child’s birthday is less than a week away!

Fact #2: 120-Minute Meals?

Julia Child’s recipes are known for being complicated and time-consuming (like her Beef Bourguignon, which requires more than 17 ingredients, 25 steps and two hours!). Rachael, on the other hand is completely the opposite with her 30-Minute Meals.

Julia Child is considered one of the most influential women in the culinary world. In honor of her upcoming 100th birthday (August 15), we’re sharing some fun facts about this leading lady and comparing her to another woman we think is pretty influential in the  kitchen too… Rachael Ray!

Fact #1: Catch Phrase

Rach’s go to phrases include “Yum-O,” “E-V-O-O,” and “Sammie,” while Julia Child is best known for using the classic French phrase, “Bon Appétit.”