JULIA CHILD
PROGRAM TOOLKIT FOR AMERICAN SPACES
An American Hero
This toolkit is designed for programming at American Spaces to support culinary diplomacy and showcase America’s culinary excellence globally.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Julia Child in her kitchen in Massachusetts in 1978.
RESOURCES
Graphics
The American Heroes Collection features digital media assets, including posters, videos, and social media graphics that were designed for use in American Spaces. The collection contains twelve files showcasing Julia Child that can be used online or in physical spaces.
Films
Julia (94 minutes)* – This documentary follows Child’s life story, using archival footage and first-person narratives to tell how she revolutionized the way we think about food, chefs, and pop culture.
Julie and Julia (123 minutes)* – Julie Powell, a young blogger, is determined to emulate Julia Child’s cooking techniques. Though separated by time, the two women share a common passion for food that intertwines their lives. Starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams.
Articles
Remembering Julia Child | Smithsonian Magazine
See the Tools and Gadgets From Julia Child’s Kitchen That Reveal How the Beloved Chef Cooked | Smithsonian Magazine
Online Exhibits
Julia Child’s Kitchen | Smithsonian National Museum of American History
This online exhibit offers an immersive look inside the iconic Cambridge, Massachusetts, kitchen where Child cooked, experimented, and filmed her television programs. Serving as both artifact and storytelling device, the kitchen anchors a broader exploration of how food, technology, and culture transformed American cooking and eating habits in the second half of the twentieth century.
Julia’s Life and Work | The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts
This timeline explores Child’s life, career, and accomplishments – from her early years growing up in California and learning to cook in Paris, to her return to America, where she became one of the most influential voices in food. The website also includes podcasts, videos, and recipes.
INTRODUCTION
Julia Child (August 15, 1912 – August 13, 2004) was an American chef, author, and television personality. She became famous for introducing French cuisine to American audiences through her cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking and her popular television show The French Chef, which made complex recipes approachable for home cooks. Child trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and helped transform how Americans thought about cooking by emphasizing technique, clarity, and enjoyment in the kitchen. Her lively teaching style and passion for food made her a cultural icon, and her influence on culinary education and television continues to shape cooking today.
LESSON PLAN
Julia Child and the Chemistry of Cooking | National Women’s History Museum
This lesson plan uses Julia Child’s work to show how science shapes everyday cooking, helping students connect chemistry concepts to real foods and kitchen processes.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Julia Child became famous around the world for teaching French cooking in an American way. What does her success show about how American creativity can have a global impact?
- The United States embraced Julia Child’s approach to making complex cooking simple for everyone. How does this reflect American values like innovation and practicality?
- Julia Child used television, books, and education to inspire people to cook at home. How does her career show the strength of American media and education in shaping everyday life?
- Julia Child’s influence is still felt in cooking shows, food culture, and culinary education today. What does her lasting legacy tell us about her impact on food, culture, and learning?
- Why do you think the White House selected Julia Child as an American Hero?
KEY DEFINITIONS
chef
A person who cooks food as a job and is trained to make many dishes.
cookbook
A book with recipes and step-by-step instructions for making food.
cooking techniques
Special ways to prepare and cook food, such as cutting, mixing, or baking.
cultural exchange
When people share ideas, traditions, and food from different countries.
culinary education
Learning how to cook and understand food in a class, school, or program.
cuisine
A style of cooking from a place or culture, with its own foods, ingredients, and recipes.
innovation
Introducing new ideas, methods, or technology.
recipe
A list of ingredients and steps that shows how to cook a dish.
television personality
A person who is well known from appearing on TV programs.
OverDrive Resources
Julia Child: A Life
In this biography, award-winning food writer Laura Shapiro follows Child’s surprising journey — from a young woman in California to a wartime office worker and beginner cook, to a student at Le Cordon Bleu—showing how learning to cook helped her learn how to live. Available as an audiobook.
DISCLAIMER
The views expressed in these links and resources do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. government.
* Post may need to procure these films. Not all films are appropriate for all audiences. Coordinators should preview films before showing them. American Spaces have the right to screen Kanopy films (available through eLibraryUSA) at their American Space if the film has public performance rights. Other films must be covered by the MPLC license.
Here is more information on showing films at American Spaces.
Updated June 2026
