The writer Alex Prud’homme, grand-nephew of Paul and Julia Child, discusses his new book The French Chef in America: Julia Child’s Second Act (Appetite, 2016), with Joseph Planta.

The French Chef in America: Julia Child’s Second Act by Alex Prud’homme (Appetite, 2016). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: The French Chef in America

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, at TheCommentary.ca.

A new biography revisits the life and legacy of Julia Child, the superstar author and television personality who brought French cooking to generations. Her television programs are rerun even today, and we see in this new book how she grew and cultivated her celebrity and image imprinting it in the memories of food lovers and fans for many years. The French Chef in America: Julia Child’s Second Act is by the author and journalist Alex Prud’homme. He is Julia and Paul Child’s great-nephew, and the co-author of her autobiography, My Life in France, which was adapted into the Nora Ephron movie Julie and Julia. With fairness and affection, he researches the life of Julia Child, her marriage to Paul and its impact on the public persona. We see how her professional relationships were forged in the world of public television and wider celebrity. We meet people along the way such as Simone Beck, Simca, a friend and collaborator, as well see how Ms. Child’s life intersects with James Beard, Jacques Pepin, and many others. And of course, the food. The reverence and appreciation of food throughout the book, make this read particularly appealing. I’ll ask Mr. Prud’homme, who joins me now, about Julia Child’s legacy as well as ask him perhaps for some insight into this larger than life lady. Alex Prud’homme’s previous books include The Ripple Effect, The Cell Game, and Forewarned. His journalism has appeared in the New York Times, The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Time, and People. The book is published by Appetite, which is an imprint of Random House. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, while here in Vancouver last week, Alex Prud’homme; Mr. Prud’homme, good morning.

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