Claire
Julia Child had a gift for words. She could make you laugh, inspire you to cook, and remind you to enjoy life, all in the same sentence.
Her quotes have been shared millions of times. They appear on kitchen signs, social media, and in graduation speeches. And for good reason.
Here are Julia Child’s most memorable quotes and some surprising facts about her remarkable life.
Famous Julia Child Quotes
What is Julia Child’s most famous quote? Julia Child’s most famous quote is “Bon appétit!”, which she used to sign off each episode of The French Chef. Her other iconic line, “If you’re afraid of butter, use cream,” captures her joyful approach to cooking.
On Cooking
“The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking, you’ve got to have a what-the-hell attitude.” This captures Julia’s fearless approach. She believed in trying, failing, and trying again.
“No one is born a great cook. One learns by doing.” Practical wisdom from someone who didn’t learn to cook until her late 30s.
“Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all.” Julia believed cooking required passion and commitment.
“You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces. Just good food from fresh ingredients.” A reminder that simplicity often wins.
On Butter
“If you’re afraid of butter, use cream.” Her most famous cooking advice, and a wink at diet culture.
“With enough butter, anything is good.” Julia never apologized for her love of butter.
“Fat gives things flavor.” Simple, direct, true. That’s Julia.
While filming Baking with Julia, she reportedly used 753 pounds of butter. She meant what she said.
On Life
“People who love to eat are always the best people.” Julia believed food brought out the best in everyone.
“Life itself is the proper binge.” Enjoy it fully. Don’t hold back.
“Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.” Advice she followed her entire life.
“A party without cake is really just a meeting.” Her sense of humor shines through.
“The pleasures of the table, and of life, are infinite.” A beautiful summary of her philosophy.
On Mistakes
“If you’re alone in the kitchen and you drop the lamb, you can always just pick it up. Who’s going to know?” Practical advice with a wink.
She once dropped a potato pancake on live TV and just kept going. That moment became legendary.
Funny Julia Child Quotes
Julia had a wonderful sense of humor. She never took herself too seriously.
“I was 32 when I started cooking. Up until then, I just ate.” Self-deprecating and true. She was a late bloomer.
“The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook.” Her playful jab at dieting.
“In France, cooking is a serious art form and a national sport.” An observation that still holds true.
“How can a nation be called great if its bread tastes like Kleenex?” On American bread in her era.
“Bon Appétit!” – Her Signature Phrase
What did Julia Child say at the end of her show? Julia Child ended every episode of The French Chef by saying “Bon appétit!” This French phrase, meaning “good appetite” or “enjoy your meal,” became her trademark sign-off and is now synonymous with her legacy.
The phrase became so associated with Julia that it appears on merchandise, cookbooks, and tributes to her memory.
Fun Facts About Julia Child
Here are surprising facts about Julia’s life:
1. She Was 6’2″ Tall
Julia stood out in any room. Her height (188 cm) was unusual for women of her era. She was rejected from military service for being “too tall.”
2. She Didn’t Cook Until Age 36
Julia discovered her love of cooking in Paris in 1948, after eating her first French meal at La Couronne in Rouen. Before that, she was a self-described “terrible cook” who once caused “an exploded duck and an oven fire.”
3. She Worked as a Spy in WWII
Julia served in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the precursor to the CIA. She worked as a file clerk, assistant, and eventually Chief of the OSS Registry in China. Read more about her spy career →
4. She Helped Develop Shark Repellent
While at the OSS, Julia helped develop a shark repellent to protect underwater explosives. She jokingly called it her “first major recipe.”
5. Her Kitchen Is in the Smithsonian
Julia donated her entire Cambridge kitchen to the Smithsonian in 2001. It’s now one of the most popular exhibits at the National Museum of American History.
6. She Was a Cancer Survivor
In 1968, Julia underwent a mastectomy at age 55. She later spoke publicly about her experience to help destigmatize breast cancer.
7. She Attributed Her Longevity to “Red Meat and Gin”
When asked about her secrets to a long life, Julia famously credited her diet of red meat and gin.
8. She Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2003, President George W. Bush awarded Julia the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She also received the French Legion of Honor in 2000.
9. She Was the First Woman in Her Cordon Bleu Class
When Julia enrolled at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris in 1949, she was the only woman in her class.
10. She Met Her Husband While Spying
Julia met Paul Child while they were both working for the OSS in Ceylon (Sri Lanka). They married in 1946.
Lesser-Known Facts
- Her childhood nicknames were “Juke,” “Juju,” and “Jukies”
- She played basketball at Smith College (her height was an advantage)
- Her last meal was a bowl of homemade French onion soup
- She won three Emmy Awards out of eight nominations
- She was the first woman inducted into the Culinary Institute of America’s Hall of Fame (1993)
Quick Facts Table
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Height | 6’2″ (188 cm) |
| Signature Phrase | “Bon appétit!” |
| Age When She Learned to Cook | 36 |
| WWII Service | OSS (1942-1945) |
| Famous Cookbook | Mastering the Art of French Cooking |
| TV Show | The French Chef (1963-1973) |
| Awards | Presidential Medal of Freedom, Legion of Honor, 3 Emmys |
| Kitchen Location | Smithsonian, Washington D.C. |
Frequently Asked Questions
“Bon appétit!” is her most recognizable phrase. Her most quoted cooking advice is “If you’re afraid of butter, use cream.”
Yes. She believed cooks should not apologize for their food. Just serve it with confidence.
Julia was 6 feet 2 inches tall (188 cm).
Julia worked as a WWII spy, helped develop shark repellent, didn’t learn to cook until age 36, and her kitchen is now in the Smithsonian.
Yes. She worked for the OSS (Office of Strategic Services) during World War II.
Sources
- WGBH – Julia Child Quotes
- CIA.gov – Julia Child OSS Service
- Wikipedia – Julia Child
- Smithsonian – Julia Child’s Kitchen
– Claire
