The Hyatt Carmel Highlands is the site of one of several Bay Area events celebrating Julia Child’s 100th birthday
Julia Child is basically the godmother of televised cooking shows; her television career lasted more than thirty years and drew legions of fans long before “food TV” was as prolific as it is today. Child, a native of Pasadena, California, was a major influence on chefs in the US – introducing Americans to French cuisine – and on people across the world. Her first cookbook, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking,” was published in 1961. Julia Child passed away in 2004.
Below are some Bay Area highlights for Julia Child-inspired celebrations. Other events outside the Bay Area include Pasadena restaurants hosting cocktail parties, a look-alike contest, and costume parties, and restaurant chefs across the country paying tribute to Ms. Child with Julia Child Restaurant Week from August 7-15.
Carmel
Hyatt Carmel Highlands
The AIWF (American Institute of Wine & Food) of Monterey Bay is hosting “Julia’s 100th Birthday party” on August 26 at the Hyatt Carmel Highlands. Tickets are $175 for AIWF members and $225 for others. RSVP’s are required by August 18. Call (831) 624-0830 or email mchamberlin1@earthlink.net for more information. The event is black-tie optional and begins at 5:30p.m. The AIWF is a non-profit organization founded by Julia Child, Robert Mondavi, Richard Graff and others in 1981 to “advance the understanding, appreciation and quality of what we eat and drink.”
For Julia’s birthday party, food will be prepared by:
Matt Bolton, Executive Chef, Hyatt Carmel Highlands
Jeff Jake, Executive Chef, Silverado Resort, Napa
Peter Armellino, Michelin Star Chef, Plumed Horse, Saratoga
Mark Ayers, Corporate Executive Chef, Coastal Luxury Management
Gina Scalla, Pastry Chef, Hyatt Carmel Highlands
Location: Hyatt Carmel Highlands, 4 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1 at Highlands Drive
Berkeley
Chez Panisse
Chez Panisse has both a downstairs restaurant and an upstairs café. The venue is serving Julia Child-inspired dinners during the week of August 13. For restaurant reservations call (510) 548-5525 Monday through Saturday, between 9 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. For café reservations call (510) 548-5049 Monday through Saturday, between 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Location: 1517 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley
San Francisco
Jardiniere
Traci Des Jardins’ Jardiniere will serve a prix fixe menu on Monday, August 13 in honor of Julia Child. The dinner is $49 and the menu follows; it includes wine pairings. Call (415) 861-5555 for reservations. Jardiniere actually serves a $49 prix fixe menu every Monday night. It usually includes wine, although last week’s August 6th dinner was themed “Artisinal Beer” — so each course was paired with a beer hand selected by bar manager Greg Stone.
Julia’s Bibb Lettuce Salad,
Bacon Avocado, Chioggia Beets and Creamy Lemon Vinaigrette
Beckman, Sauvignon Blanc, Sta. Ynez Valley, California 2011
••••••••
Coq au Vin,
Braised Bacon, Wild Mushroom and New Potato
Betrand Amboise, Bourgogne Rouge, Burgundy, France 2009
••••••••
Chocolate Mousse,
Crème Anglaise and Candied Almonds
M. Chapoutier, Banyuls, France 2007
Location: 300 Grove Street, San Francisco
Oakland
Camino
The restaurant Camino is serving a four-course prix fixe dinner on August 15. The meal at Camino costs $55 and includes bourride (seafood stew), steak au poivre (pepper steak), and clafoutis (a baked French dessert that features cherries). Call (510) 547-5035 for reservations.
Location: 3917 Grand Ave, Oakland
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