The first-ever Julia Child Award will be presented in August 2015 by a foundation begun in the 1990s by the great chef herself. The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts will confer the honor on an individual who has improved how Americans think about what they cook, eat and drink. “Julia brought her spirit directly into the kitchens of millions of people,” noted Eric Spivey, chairman of the foundation. “She made cooking fun and approachable, while at the same time encouraging excellence. This award supports her commitment to educate and encourage others, and we hope it will provide a tangible legacy of her passion for the joys of cooking and eating well.”
Choosing the award’s first recipient is a jury composed of those who knew Child personally: Darra Goldstein, founding editor of Gastronomica; Russ Parsons, food editor and columnist at the Los Angeles Times; New England chef Jasper White; and restaurant owner Nancy Silverton. Jim Dodge, director of specialty culinary programs at Bon Appétit Management, leads the jury.
The recipient will be announced around the date of Child’s 103rd birthday, August 15. Rather than a cash award, the winner, who will be honored at a gala at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History on October 22, will receive a $50,000 grant to “pay it forward” to a food-related nonprofit group. The gala will kick off the inaugural American Food History Weekend at the museum, where Child’s kitchen has been on display since 2002.
Inspired to be a part of this history-making event? The foundation is looking for input on what the physical award should look like! Submit your design on the Julia Child Award website by April 24. You’ll also be able to purchase tickets to the gala, when available, via the National Museum of American History website. Proceeds from the gala will help support programs, exhibitions and research for the museum’s American Food History Project.
- Photography: Julia Child Award
