Julia Child's kitchen

Visit the Smithsonian for a few lessons on the fine art of French cuisine.

Wine is an important part of the food chain," says culinary queen Julia Child in her trademark warble. She has seasoned her show with this playfulness. A teaspoon of humor and a cup of saucincss yield a flambe of fun for audiences.

Today, faithful fans as well as new converts can be introduced to all things Julia at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. Her actual kitchen will be on display through September 2005.

"We learned she was leaving her home in Massachusetts and talked to her about acquiring her kitchen," says exhibition co-curator Paula Johnson.

Julia, who now resides in Santa Barbara, California, loved the idea. For her, it was an ideal way to teach the public her message of making the kitchen the center of the home.

Museum crews carefully transferred everything in the kitchen, including the cabinets and range. The kitchen table, wooden chairs, 13 black skillets, even the Skippy peanut butter on the countertop, and other items (more than 1,200 objects total) are in plain sight for adoring fans.

"We put everything back exactly as we found it. The clock in her kitchen is at 20 minutes after 12 because that's the time it became an official part of the Smithsonian," says Paula.

Smithsonian National Museum of American History: (202) 357-2700 or www.americanhistory.si.edu.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Nov 2003
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