Julia Child's Kitchen: The Design, Tools, Stories, and Legacy of an Iconic Space

by Paula Johnson, Jacques Pépin (foreword)

Julia Child's Kitchen  is a deep dive into the beloved cookbook author and television star’s favorite place in the world—her home kitchen—and how this space has influenced the ways we cook today.
 
Foreword by Jacques Pépin
 
Julia Child's 20’ x 14’ kitchen was a serious workspace and recipe‑testing lab that exuded a sense of mid‑century homey comfort. Now, it has been on display at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., for most of the past twenty years and museum goers have made it a top destination. Authored by Paula Johnson, one of the original collectors and keepers of Julia Child’s home kitchen for the past twenty‑one years at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, this book provides an intimate portrait of Julia at home, first‑hand accounts of cooking with Julia in her kitchen, and a deeper understanding of why her kitchen is a window into larger themes in twentieth century American history. 
                 
Between lively narrative, compelling photography, and detailed commentary on Julia's favorite kitchen gadgets, Julia Child's Kitchen illuminates the stories behind the room's design, use, significance, and legacy, showing how deeply Julia Child continues to influence food today. The kitchen contains more than one thousand parts and pieces—tools, appliances, utensils, furniture, artwork, knick‑knacks, books, and bits of whimsy—all reflecting Julia’s status as an accomplished chef, gastronome, delightful cooking teacher, television trailblazer, women’s advocate, mentor, and generous, jovial friend. The kitchen’s layout, design, and contents reflect Julia’s philosophy of cooking as well as a period of social and cultural change in the United States, providing a platform for exploring such post‑World War II themes as shifting attitudes about gender roles and domesticity or the tension between tradition and innovation regarding culinary tools, materials, cooking, and food itself. This book, a beautifully designed tribute to Julia Child's legacy, will be a must‑have for every home cook and Julia Child fan.
 
Includes Color Photographs

Genres: Nonfiction, Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Biography

426 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 8, 2024

Reviews

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always wanna know what people’s kitchens look like, what kitchens tools they use, how they organize stuff. This book is a super fun look at that, and also lightly covers biographical info about Julia Child’s life. I love the thick, high quality paper, large coffee table size of it, and huge color photos. It also spends a great deal of time exploring the changes in American food ways, cooking tools, appliances and kitchens-how they changed between WW2 and now. The last part of the book covers the museum curation process of Julia’s donated kitchen and behind the scenes details of the changes to the Smithsonian exhibit over the last two decades. Enjoyable read—hope to see the exhibit in person someday!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you ever wanted to see every single kitchen item in Julia's kitchen, this is the book for you. There are several anecdotes from other cooks as well as mini histories of the gadgets and appliances that Julia used along with some great Julia quotes. If you can't get to the Smithsonian, this book is the next best thing.

[Hannah Dalpiaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

My jólabókaflóð book from my parents this year. I loved learning more about Julia’s kitchen and its preservation at the Smithsonian. She is such an inspiration! Can’t wait to see if again hopefully this February!

[Simone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will be going to visit Julia's kitchen at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History ASAP!

[Jamie Johnson Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I was just going to look at all of the wonderful pictures in this book, but then I just had to read every bit about Julia and her fabulous kitchen 😊💜

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Among everything else, I just love the celebration of clutter.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this might be a bit dry, but there was plenty of "Julia" in it, so it was a very enjoyable read. Photos are important in a book like this and they were excellent. My only real disappointment was seeing no mention of the Foley Fork that I found out about at the Recipe for Life exhibit currently at the Minnesota History Center.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent source on what goes into creating an archival collection and exhibition. Subject herself is a favorite of mine, so I found this to be top-notch.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say I'm surprised I read this book is an understatement. We visited the Smithsonian's Museum of American History late last year, To my wife's utter surprise, she discovered Julia Child's complete kitchen there in all its glory. She promptly bought this book on our return home, and I'm somewhat chagrined to say that she hasn't had any time with it since it arrived.

I've never read a cookbook to save my life, but this book isn't in fact a cookbook at all. Instead, it's a fascinating account of Julia and her husband Paul's meticulous building and design of the kitchen in their Cambridge home. From pantry shelving, to butcher block counter tops, to fascinating airport-style flooring, and finally to the amazing Garland stove, this book is quite a fascinating read. Paula Johnson's deep dive into the history, plus her own part in bringing the entire kitchen to the Smithsonian, is a compelling story.

[Clifford Watson]

Julia Child's Kitchen: The Design, Tools, Stories, and Legacy of an Iconic Space by Paula Johnson is a fascinating read that beautifully captures the heart of Julia’s legendary kitchen. The book blends history, design details, and personal stories in a way that feels both educational and inspiring. It’s a must-read for food lovers and anyone passionate about functional, timeless kitchen spaces. I’d highly recommend it to those exploring Kitchen Design Services in Boulder, as it highlights how thoughtful design can truly transform the cooking experience.

[Jil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful photographs. I especially enjoyed the last couple of chapters on how the Smithsonian obtained permission, conserved and exhibits the kitchen. As someone with a career in the food industry and also not a chef, I have always appreciated how Julia worked to take the mystery out of beautiful food. My favorite book of 2024; I even read all the footnotes!

[Nikki LB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completely fascinating book that’s about so much more than a TV cooks kitchen. It really a social history book as well as a biography. As someone who loves cooking, design, kitchen equipment and social history this book was perfect for me.

[Nora Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fear I am now obsessed with Julia Child.

[belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

as an archivist and food history lover this was everythinggggg

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great history and artifacts of a cooking legend