People Who Love to Eat Are Always the Best People: And Other Wisdom

by Julia Child

A charming, giftable collection of the beloved, best-selling author's inimitable quotes--her words of wisdom on love, life, and, of course, food.

"If you're afraid of butter, use cream." So decrees Julia Child, the legendary culinary authority and cookbook author who taught America how to cook--and how to eat. This delightful volume of quotations compiles some of Julia's most memorable lines on eating--"The only time to eat diet food is while you're waiting for the steak to cook"--on drinking, on life--"I think every woman should have a blowtorch"--on love, travel, France, and much more. Perfect for Julia fans, home cooks, and anyone who simply loves to eat and drink.

Genres: Nonfiction, Food, Cooking, Cookbooks, Culinary, Biography, Food Writing

160 pages, Hardcover

First published November 10, 2020

About the author

Julia Carolyn Child was an American chef, author, and television personality. She is recognized for having brought French cuisine to the American public with her debut cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and her subsequent television programs, the most notable of which was The French Chef, which premiered in 1963.

Reviews

[Yodamom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this, I loved her so.
Wonderful quotes from a woman beloved by so many. She had some fabulously funny ones and some that are used by people who never even saw her show. It was so short I would have loved more quotes more time with Julia. there could never be enough. This would make an excellent gift book.

[❀⊱RoryReads⊰❀ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 Stars

[Jessica Haider · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet little book that would be perfect for any food lover or Julia Child fan. This small tome is a collection of Julia Child quotes with accompanying illustrations. The quotes are from various sources and are all Oh So Julia. She was a wonderful personality that was a real inspiration in the kitchen.

thank you to the publisher for the review copy!

[Sterlingcindysu · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the book to read if it's 12/31 and you want to make your Goodreads challenge. It's only quotations from Child with small drawings. Really. It's taking me longer to write this review than what I spent reading it.

Instead read this--My Life in France if you want information on Child.

This was not in the book--

[Melissa Borsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I loved the quotes and enjoyed reading this book, I was very disappointed with how very short the book is. I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Priya · Rating 3 out of 5]

A compilation of quotes about the joys of cooking, tasting, feeding and enjoying good food.
I particularly liked the quote about never apologizing no matter what happens in the kitchen! Most of the quotes encourage trying new recipes and developing a love for the art of preparing food.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of quotes. I'm a big fan of Julia Child. Put the two together and voila! This was a cute little book of quotes from Julia Child, pulled from her various cookbooks and TV appearances. Something to enjoy while reading on a nice day outside or cozied up with some hot cocoa. For food lovers and those who like to live their life the the fullest.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m giving this four stars because it’s not groundbreaking but it is exactly what it says on the cover - amusing quotes from Julia Child with nice illustrations and design.

[Julia Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute book of quotes and wisdom that Julia Child's has said or written over the years. A great gift for someone who loves to cook or bake!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Julia Child is well-known for her cooking shows and cookbooks, but also for her infectious laugh and humor. This small book is a collection of many of her best-known quotes - including the title, People who love to eat are always the best people. At the end of the book is a list of all the quote sources and also a few pages on Julia Child's life and legacy. This is a very quick read, but would make a great gift to any Julia Child fans.

Some of my favorite quotes from the book:

"You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces - just good food from fresh ingredients." (p. 61)

"Fat gives things flavor." (p. 77)

"I just hate health food." (p. 127)

[Elysa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got this as a gift for my in-laws who love to cook and are Julia Child fans. It's full of cute quotes about cooking and France, with some others about family and teaching.

"I was 39 when I started cooking. Until then I just ate."

"I think every woman should have a blowtorch."

[Cynthia Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, quick read of Julia Child quotes.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect except for that I wanted more. This would make a lovely hostess gift if we ever get back to dinner parties...

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Julia Child and her cooking shows. She is one of the people I'd choose to have dinner with if you could pick anybody who ever lived to share a meal with. This is a cute book to have around the house, although I wish there was a bit more substance to it and I know she said some really clever things on her tv shows that did not make it into this book. Still, it's a good laugh and a feel-good sort of little book when you just need a pick-me-up!

[Sara Knab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always love a good Julia Child quote

[Alisha Linehan]

Just a collection of quotes that I feel a little guilty about including in my book tally, but I read The Brothers Karamazov and Chernow’s biography of Alexander Hamilton in the same year so dont come at me with that page-count nonsense.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This only just barely counts as a book—it really is just a few pages of quotes! But I read it! I think Julia Child must have been a fun person to be around.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love her nuggets of wisdom, and this really is a book for her fans. if you are one, like me, you gotta have it.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little book of Julia Child's quotes on food, eating, cooking, France, and other wisdom. Would make a nice gift for someone who admires her or loves cooking.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute book with some great quotes by Julia Child but I feel that it was a bit too short to be satisfying. It would have been better if it also had some stories or pictures from Julia Child's life, or if it had simply more quotes.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published at release on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

People Who Love to Eat Are Always the Best People is a beautifully curated selection of Ms. Child's wise and witty quotes about food and life. Due out 17th Nov 2020 from Penguin Random House on their Knopf Doubleday imprint, it's 160 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

This is a beautifully and whimsically illustrated small volume of quotes from the late culinary mistress who brought a love of *good* food to generations of Americans. They're well curated, reflecting her surprisingly down-to-earth, wise, and pragmatic personality. There's also humor aplenty with warmth and affection shining through. It honestly felt like watching old reruns of her TV show or a particularly good meal.

It's a short book, only 160 pages, with each 2 page spread containing a quote from Julia and a line drawing or wallpaper facing page. The line drawings by Sidonie Coryn (her illustrator/collaborator for many of her iconic cookbooks) are very simple and appealing, with food or kitchen objects arranged artfully.

Four stars. This would make a superlative gift or housewarming/hostess present for food loving friends.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Abra Kurt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read anything by or about Julia Child that I haven’t absolutely adored – but I’m a foodie and I have a framed vintage photo of Julia in my kitchen, so I may be a little biased – but what could be better than a charming little collection of her pithy quotes and sage advice? Chef Child's wit and wisdom abound in this petite hardcover package. Filled with instruction for home cooks like, “I think every woman should have a blowtorch” and “Don’t forget the butter!” to the timeless counsel of, “Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it” and adopting an “eh bien, tant pis!” mindset when things go wrong, this delightful book would make a perfect hostess gift for any occasion. After all, the best occasions are always accompanied by food, and people who love to eat are always the best people!

I received a digital pre-publication copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review – and loved it so much that I did indeed purchase a physical copy for a Thanksgiving hostess gift.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was received as an ARC from Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group - Knopf in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have always loved Julia Child since I started cooking from her book Mastering the Art of French Cooking, from reading her memoirs in Paris, her television show and from the movie Julie and Julia so I knew this book would be a "treat" to read. Julia fills this book with wisdom that is food for your soul. This book is perfect when you are craving positive thoughts or even when you didn't have the best day and you just want some food for your soul. My personal favorite is 'friendship is the most important thing and people are the nourishment not careers and housework." I know that this will not only have a place in our TX collection but in my personal collection as well.

We will consider adding this title to our TX collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

[Cozy Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful collection of quotes , sayings and wisdom by Julia Child. Julia is a legendary figure and I have enjoyed reading this as she was a unique charcter with a great love of all foods and cooking. You will find her trademark humor throughout as well as much advice about cooking. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own.

I highly recommend this book as a gift for all who loved Julia. A wonderful engaging read that I highly recommend.

[Sharron · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am relieved I borrowed this book from the library and didn’t buy it sight unseen. Why books like this are published baffles me. You look at something like this once and then either immediately bin it, regift it or you donate it to a charity for its fund raising book sale. It’s a splendid example of “there’s no there there”. And for the record, I think Julia Child is marvelous. This book, however, is not.

[Bonnie Kernene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to watch Julia Child on TV all the time as a teenager. I loved watching her cook and she was so funny. This book is a good representation of her, too! It is not very long, and I read it quite quickly. But her quotes and sayings are so fun and much needed inspiration in this difficult year. I could easily read this book more than once. It is such a feel-good book. A great read and I highly recommend it!

[superawesomekt · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

It's well executed for what it is. But it's a gimmicky gift book for someone who doesn't know what to give a foodie. Here's a clue: don't give them a book. Give them a gift card to eat out, make them a meal, buy them a cooking class experience, give them a fine bar of chocolate, or, if you MUST give them a book, give them Julia Child's excellent memoir, My Life in France or Ruth Reichl's Garlic and Sapphires. But, please, don't give them this book.

[Tiffany Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book of quotes by Julia Child on everything from cooking to life in general. It is a quick read and would make a good gift or book for one's coffee table.


I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

[Homerun2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. This should be a great little gift for cooks and lovers of Julia. It was not easy to see what I assume is a charming little book via the electronic format. It is very very brief. But, there are some great Julia quotes and observations.

[Cathy Klein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Talk about a quick read!

Somehow I missed the gist of this book when I heard about and didn't realize it would only take about 20 minutes to read it.

It's a cute little book with all of Julia Child's quotes and some thoughts mostly about food and Paris. If you are a fan of Child, you will still enjoy, but don't count on much substance.