Having just read the https://substack.com/@steady piece on the importance of the upcoming election and the inclusion of Aretha Franklin’s YouTube video of the song “Think”, it reminded me of the time Ms Franklin came into the gourmet market that I was working at. She came in with an entourage and as she completed her shopping, I tried to “will” her to my register. LOL, it was not to be, but I sure loved seeing her, albeit past her prime. This particular market regularly catered to local celebrities from the Detroit area. There was also the time I “carded” one of the Red Wings players, because, well, he didn’t look old enough to buy alcohol.
Hi Lori! Thanks for sharing this moment with me. I'm sorry she didn't make it to your register, but thrilled that you appreciate seeing her. It's so great to swap stories here! I'll check out the piece you linked here. Have a wonderful day. xo
Nan, this story truly brought a smile to my face. Although I didn't grow up watching Julia Child, I’ve read her books and cooked several of her recipes. Her influence reached me in ways I never expected, even though I was in the wrong country and too young to experience her on TV. Your recounting of that day captures the larger-than-life presence she had, both in the culinary world and for those who admired her work. I loved how you brought her quirks to life—the butter, the steak, the wine—all with such vivid detail. Your ability to blend humor with reverence is wonderful!
You're welcome, Nan! Your words about her truly captured her unique spirit. It's always inspiring to read such heartfelt reflections, especially when they honor someone so remarkable. Thank you for sharing that.
Abby! Yes, the butter on the steak fits. I can see you doing that. Because you understand pleasure, just like Julia. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Getting a thumbs up from you always feels like the best present! See you soon, xo.
LOVE this! A friend once waited on Kurt Vonnegut at an '80s-era health food restaurant stuck in a '60s time warp. When K.V. complained--accurately--that his dinner was taking an inordinate time to arrive, my friend said: "If you wanted fast food, you should have gone to fucking McDonald's." K.V. left him an impressive and generous tip.
Ha! Julia Child used to be on at our house, too. Not religiously, but regularly. I always loved her voice and the lilting way she spoke as she cooked. My mother was not a great cook, but my mom and stepdad owned a fancy French restaurant for a couple of years and the chef used to do a bang-on impression of Ms. Child. Still makes me laugh to think of it. I loved this, Nan. Felt like a fly on the wall ❤️ Happy Birthday to your mom, too xx
After mulling over Julia Child's capacious appetite for red wine and butter, as you've described here, Nan, I've just looked up what she died from. Kidney failure just before her 92nd birthday. That's not bad going, considering!
Nan, what a fun and fantastic story! I could see the beautiful napkins on the table, hear glasses clinking, smell the fresh baked bread, and of course, taste everything. Julia Child was such a unique cultural icon of that time. What a thrill that you saw her up close and personal. And as always, so well written! 🙏🏻🙏🏻
The Union Square Cafe! And you worked there! And there was Julia Child! When my husband was getting his doctorate in philosophy at Harvard, he used to see Child striding across Harvard Square from time to time. That would’ve been in the mid 60s.
I am a big fan of the keto diet, and I eat butter and cream all the time. Julia was just way ahead of her time. They now think that butter is good for you.
Nice! I was a huge butter lover until I began to understand more about the farming industry. I have taken a break from dairy and other animal products and have looked for an adequate butter replacement...I found one that I liked, and for now that's good. But yes, the food and medical communities are at least more clear about how beneficial good fats can be for our bodies! And that's wonderful. Thanks for reading and commenting!
I’ve been waiting for this story since we were discussing celebrity encounters a few weeks ago. Loved it! Sounds like you did an amazing job despite your nerves. The thing I remember from watching Julia Child when I was a kid was how much wine she put into everything. (Which, now that I think about it, was an omen of my future let’s say “fondness” for alcohol.) You also reminded me of a story. A friend of mine told me that when he was a kid, he’d put a pat of putter on every Chicken McNugget he ate. That doesn’t sound as good as a buttery rib-eye, though.
Butter on a McNugget? That IS funny. My mom and grandmother would tell the story of how my mother, as a little girl would go to the grocery store with her mom and have to be watched closely after an episode of helping herself to a stick of butter, unwrapping it and eating the stick unaccompanied by anything as mundane as a piece of bread. Mom was a hardcore butter-lover! That's commitment to a cause, in my book.
Having just read the https://substack.com/@steady piece on the importance of the upcoming election and the inclusion of Aretha Franklin’s YouTube video of the song “Think”, it reminded me of the time Ms Franklin came into the gourmet market that I was working at. She came in with an entourage and as she completed her shopping, I tried to “will” her to my register. LOL, it was not to be, but I sure loved seeing her, albeit past her prime. This particular market regularly catered to local celebrities from the Detroit area. There was also the time I “carded” one of the Red Wings players, because, well, he didn’t look old enough to buy alcohol.
Hi Lori! Thanks for sharing this moment with me. I'm sorry she didn't make it to your register, but thrilled that you appreciate seeing her. It's so great to swap stories here! I'll check out the piece you linked here. Have a wonderful day. xo
Love this story. Love JC.
Thank you! Me too about JC! xo
Great story and a wonderful piece!
Thanks, Victoria!
Nan, this story truly brought a smile to my face. Although I didn't grow up watching Julia Child, I’ve read her books and cooked several of her recipes. Her influence reached me in ways I never expected, even though I was in the wrong country and too young to experience her on TV. Your recounting of that day captures the larger-than-life presence she had, both in the culinary world and for those who admired her work. I loved how you brought her quirks to life—the butter, the steak, the wine—all with such vivid detail. Your ability to blend humor with reverence is wonderful!
Thank you so much for your generous comment! She truly was one of a kind!
You're welcome, Nan! Your words about her truly captured her unique spirit. It's always inspiring to read such heartfelt reflections, especially when they honor someone so remarkable. Thank you for sharing that.
It's my pleasure. I'm glad you enjoyed it. xo
That’s amazing! I also put butter on my steak, but never that much. I need to step up my game.
Yes, by all means, try harder! xo
What a delicious tale...
Thanks, Troy! xo
To quote Dorothy Sayers, "Tis a far, far butter thing..."
Loved reading this. Why the hell don't I put butter on my steak? Starting tomorrow. Great piece, Nan.
Abby! Yes, the butter on the steak fits. I can see you doing that. Because you understand pleasure, just like Julia. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Getting a thumbs up from you always feels like the best present! See you soon, xo.
I loved reading this story!
LOVE this! A friend once waited on Kurt Vonnegut at an '80s-era health food restaurant stuck in a '60s time warp. When K.V. complained--accurately--that his dinner was taking an inordinate time to arrive, my friend said: "If you wanted fast food, you should have gone to fucking McDonald's." K.V. left him an impressive and generous tip.
Hilarious! That's a whole lotta chutzpah on your friend's part. I don't think I would have been that bold. And I loved KV the others loved JC. xoxo
Ha! Julia Child used to be on at our house, too. Not religiously, but regularly. I always loved her voice and the lilting way she spoke as she cooked. My mother was not a great cook, but my mom and stepdad owned a fancy French restaurant for a couple of years and the chef used to do a bang-on impression of Ms. Child. Still makes me laugh to think of it. I loved this, Nan. Felt like a fly on the wall ❤️ Happy Birthday to your mom, too xx
Thanks, Ally! This was such a fun one to write and remember. I'll give my mother your regards...but there's a good chance she'll see them here.
Julia's voice was fascinating to me. No one sounded like her. No one. xo
After mulling over Julia Child's capacious appetite for red wine and butter, as you've described here, Nan, I've just looked up what she died from. Kidney failure just before her 92nd birthday. That's not bad going, considering!
I know, I looked it up yesterday, prompted by another reader's comment. It seems she lived her life fully! xo
Lovely, fun, amazing. I like butter on my steak too. :) (who wouldn’t?)
Butter IS better! xo
Nan, what a fun and fantastic story! I could see the beautiful napkins on the table, hear glasses clinking, smell the fresh baked bread, and of course, taste everything. Julia Child was such a unique cultural icon of that time. What a thrill that you saw her up close and personal. And as always, so well written! 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Thanks, Paulla! She was indeed unique. I've enjoyed that so many have told her story in the last 20 years or so. It's a very special memory for me. xo
The Union Square Cafe! And you worked there! And there was Julia Child! When my husband was getting his doctorate in philosophy at Harvard, he used to see Child striding across Harvard Square from time to time. That would’ve been in the mid 60s.
I am a big fan of the keto diet, and I eat butter and cream all the time. Julia was just way ahead of her time. They now think that butter is good for you.
Nice! I was a huge butter lover until I began to understand more about the farming industry. I have taken a break from dairy and other animal products and have looked for an adequate butter replacement...I found one that I liked, and for now that's good. But yes, the food and medical communities are at least more clear about how beneficial good fats can be for our bodies! And that's wonderful. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Oh Nan, I am such a Julia fan, and I adored this post. I was there with you holding my breath as you served her. Wonderful story. 💚💚💚
Thanks, Sue! xo
I’ve been waiting for this story since we were discussing celebrity encounters a few weeks ago. Loved it! Sounds like you did an amazing job despite your nerves. The thing I remember from watching Julia Child when I was a kid was how much wine she put into everything. (Which, now that I think about it, was an omen of my future let’s say “fondness” for alcohol.) You also reminded me of a story. A friend of mine told me that when he was a kid, he’d put a pat of putter on every Chicken McNugget he ate. That doesn’t sound as good as a buttery rib-eye, though.
Butter on a McNugget? That IS funny. My mom and grandmother would tell the story of how my mother, as a little girl would go to the grocery store with her mom and have to be watched closely after an episode of helping herself to a stick of butter, unwrapping it and eating the stick unaccompanied by anything as mundane as a piece of bread. Mom was a hardcore butter-lover! That's commitment to a cause, in my book.
Hahaha that's hilarious. Your mom invented the buttersicle!
Exactly! I wish I could show you a picture of her eating her birthday cupcake last night. Very cute. I may DM you!
Happy belated birthday to Mama Tepper!