Julia Child was a legendary cookbook author and television pioneer, bringing one of the first cooking shows to American TV. Her relatable, unpretentious personality and willingness to laugh off errors reassured viewers that they too could try French cooking without fear of failure. The same warmth and authenticity that Julia Child was so loved for can be found alive and well at the Julia Child Food & Wine Birthday Celebration held at the Dorothy Lane Market (DLM) Culinary Center on her birthday, August 15, for the past six years.
"She had a love for life that was contagious, and she brought that into the kitchen. We try to embody that same spirit in our classes,” shares Peggy Neary, manager of the (DLM) Dorothy Lane Market Culinary Center.
A beloved tradition, reflecting the spirit of Child's work through expertly crafted dishes, wine pairings and the camaraderie of shared meals, the Julia Child Food & Wine Birthday Celebration is not simply a class, it's a festive, educational event. Peggy and her team, Instructor Ruth Neely and Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) Teresa Kearney provide an immersive and interactive experience, engaging all senses and leaving no detail overlooked.
“It is always a four or five-course menu including a seafood course and a meat course. From there we offer an appetizer, soup or salad course and dessert. I hope that guests leave with a deep sense of our love and passion for cooking, and the joy that comes from sharing a meal with others,” says Peggy.
Ruth’s passion for cooking is evident in her teaching. She brings Julia’s spirit to life with her step-by-step method, emphasizing the importance of understanding every aspect of a recipe. “Julia’s recipes are teaching tools, designed to give a 'heads-up' approach to cooking," Ruth explains. Her favorite Julia Child recipe to teach is Boeuf à la Bourguignonne, a rich beef stew that exemplifies the kind of robust, flavorful cooking Julia championed.
Julia Child famously said, “I enjoy cooking with wine, sometimes I even put it in the food,” so an event celebrating her life wouldn’t be complete without a perfectly paired wine for each dish. Teresa ensures that every offering is balanced with the perfect French wine, echoing Julia's own love for French wine regions. "Even though Julia recommended wines from all over the world later in her career, for this class, I prefer to stick to French wines," Teresa notes. When asked what wines at DLM Julia might have loved, Teresa jokingly answers, “All of them!” and then adds, “But seriously, I believe anything from Burgundy would be her favorite.”
For those who have yet to experience a class at the DLM Culinary Center, Peggy offers a compelling invitation. "We share the highest quality food, create memorable interactions and work with a talented team to produce something truly special." For nearly 20 years, Peggy has dedicated her time and efforts to the DLM Culinary Center and her passion and devotion are evident in every class the center offers.
As the DLM Culinary Center continues to grow, so does its commitment to preserving the legacy of Julia Child. "Her influence is evident in everything we produce," Peggy says. "French cuisine is at the heart of gastronomy, and Julia Child brought that to American home cooks. We are proud to carry that torch forward."
The DLM Culinary Center fall calendar is rich with foods of the season. There is a vast array of subjects from Flavors of India, to Ghanaian Food and Culture, to Hands-on Apple Pie and Old World Cookies. Below, we have included a few upcoming classes to pique your interest. Visit DorothyLane.com/Culinary-Center for the full list.
“French cuisine is at the heart of gastronomy and Julia Child brought that to American home cooks. We are proud to carry that torch forward."
Upcoming Classes to Try at DLM
-
Best of the Fest (October 4, 6-8 p.m.) Join Susie and Iván Núñez for a festive Oktoberfest-inspired class, featuring hearty German dishes paired with beer and wine to celebrate the season's best flavors.
-
Flavors of India (October 16, 6-8 p.m.) Explore the vibrant spices and bold flavors of Indian cuisine.
- Homemade Apple Pie (October 30, 6-8 p.m.) Mary Cooney offers a hands-on pie-baking class where you'll master homemade pie dough, create a take-home pie and craft mini hand pies.