The French Chef

The French Chef is a television cooking show created and hosted by Julia Child,[1] produced and broadcast by WGBH, the public television station in Boston, Massachusetts, from February 2, 1963 to January 14, 1973. It was one of the first cooking shows on American television.

The French Chef
StarringJulia Child
Country of originUnited States
Production
Running time28 minutes 46 seconds
Release
Original networkWGBH (producer)
NET (1963-1966)
PBS (1970-1973)
Original releaseFebruary 2, 1963 
January 14, 1973

The show grew out of a special presentation Child gave on WGBH based on the book Mastering the Art of French Cooking which she co-authored. The French Chef was produced from 1963 to 1973 by WGBH for National Educational Television (and later for PBS). Reruns continued on PBS until 1989, and were airing on Cooking Channel as of 2010. As of September 2016, episodes were being rerun on the new Canadian cooking channel Gusto. As recently as March 2017, reruns of the show were also seen on the American Public Television Create channel.

The original episodes were available on the PBS streaming service as of 2020.

Format

The French Chef introduced French cooking to the United States at a time when it was considered expensive restaurant fare, not suitable for home cooking. Child emphasized fresh and, at the time, unusual ingredients. All of the recipes used on The French Chef had originally appeared in Mastering the Art of French Cooking, but for the show, Child chose mostly the more domestic recipes from the book, although such showpieces as Beef Wellington, various sorts of soufflé, and some ambitious pastries also made it into the mix if they seemed within the reach of a home cook without staff.

The show was done live-to-videotape from start to finish, leaving little room for mistakes. The resulting occasional accidents became a popular trademark of Child's on air presence, used as "teachable moments" to encourage viewers to relax about the task's demands.

Certain elements became motifs: Julia's fondness for wine; her distinctive voice; her staunch defense of the use of butter (with margarine invariably referred to as "that other spread") and cream; her standard issue "impeccably clean towel"; and her closing line at the end of every show: "This is Julia Child, Bon appétit!"

History

So good is she that men who have not the slightest intention of going to the kitchen for anything but ice cubes watch her for pure enjoyment.

Time magazine cover story from November 1966[2]

Child's first appearance cooking on TV had been by happenstance: a guest for another show on WGBH had cancelled their appearance, as did the backup guest. Child was invited to do a cooking demonstration, which received positive feedback and prompted executives to order a pilot.[3]

When the show began, the budget was so low that "volunteers had to be recruited to wash dishes, and the food sometimes had to be auctioned to the audience afterwards to cover expenses."[2]

In 1964 Child received a Peabody Award, crediting her for doing "more than show us how good cooking is achieved; by her delightful demonstrations she has brought the pleasures of good living into many American homes."[4] In May 1966, her show won a Primetime Emmy Award for Achievements in Educational Television – Individuals.[5]

The August 27, 1968 episode of The French Chef (rerun from an episode sometime in 1965) ended with the unexpected collapse of an Apple Charlotte.

The October 31, 1971 episode of The French Chef (on its ninth anniversary) was the first U.S. television show to be captioned for deaf viewers.[6]

The show was produced by Ruth Lockwood and directed by Russell Morash, Russell Fortier, David Griffiths and David B. Atwood.[7] Film composer John Morris wrote the 2nd theme song of The French Chef.

The show eventually became so popular that Child's use of a particular ingredient each week would sometimes cause a surge in demand and lead to grocery stores across the country temporarily selling out of it.[3]

Legacy

As part of its growing Twitch Creative content, Twitch streamed every episode of The French Chef over a four-day period starting on March 15, 2016, to launch its new food channel.[8][9] Twitch reported that almost a million viewers watched the marathon.[10]

List of episodes

Pilots (1962)

The three pilot episodes were subsequently taped over by the studio, a common practice at the time. No copies are known to exist today.

EpisodeSubjectAir Date
PilotThe French OmeletJuly 28, 1962 [11]
PilotCoq au VinJuly 1962 [12]
PilotOnion SoupJuly 1962 [13]

Season 1 (1963)

Child wrote that the first 13 episodes were lost at one point, but then 7 were found; if so, this would add an additional 6 episodes between episode 7 "Fruit Tarts" and what is listed here as episode 8 "Chicken Breasts and Rice" (which would have actually been episode 14).

EpisodeSubjectAir Date
E01Boeuf BourguignonFebruary 2, 1963
E02French Onion SoupFebruary 9, 1963
E03Casserole Roast ChickenFebruary 16, 1963
E04The French OmeletteFebruary 23, 1963
E05ScallopsMarch 2, 1963
E06Quiche LorraineMarch 9, 1963
E07Fruit TartsMarch 16, 1963
E08Chicken Breasts and RiceMarch 23, 1963
E09Vegetables à la FrançaiseMarch 30, 1963
E10Veal ScallopsApril 6, 1963
E11French Salads- MayonnaiseApril 13, 1963
E12Chicken Livers à la FrançaiseApril 20, 1963
E13Roast Duck à l'OrangeApril 27, 1963
E14Chocolate Mousse and Caramel CustardMay 4, 1963
E15PâtésMay 11, 1963
E16AspicsMay 18, 1963
E17BouillabaiseMay 25, 1963
E18Lobster à l'AméricaineJune 1, 1963
E19French CrêpesJune 8, 1963
E20French Crêpes II - SuzetteJune 15, 1963
E21Steaks and HamburgersJune 22, 1963
E22The Potato ShowJune 29, 1963
E23Soufflé on a PlatterJuly 6, 1963
E24Dinner in a PotJuly 13, 1963
E25Pâte à ChouxJuly 20, 1963

Season 2 (1963-1964)

EpisodeSubjectAir Date
E01Caramel DessertsNovember 30, 1963
E02Cooking Your GooseDecember 7, 1963
E03Chestnut CookeryDecember 14, 1963
E04Bringing in the New YearDecember 21, 1963
E05Coq au VinJanuary 1, 1964
E06CassouletJanuary 8, 1964
E07Vegetable AdventuresJanuary 15, 1964
E08Puff PastryJanuary 22, 1964
E09More about Puff PastryJanuary 29, 1964
E10Fish MousselinesFebruary 5, 1964
E11Cake for CompanyFebruary 12, 1964
E12Artichokes from Top to BottomFebruary 19, 1964
E13Elegance with EggsFebruary 26, 1964
E14Cold Soufflés and Bavarian CreamMarch 4, 1964
E15Case for SalmonMarch 11, 1964
E16Broccoli and CauliflowerMarch 18, 1964
E17Veal for a KingMarch 25, 1964
E18The Soup ShowApril 1, 1964
E19Flaming SouffléApril 8, 1964
E20Small Roast BirdsApril 15, 1964

Season 3 (1964-1965)

EpisodeSubjectAir Date
E01TimbalesApril 22, 1964
E02Fish Filets SylvestreOctober 28, 1964
E03Babas au RhumNovember 4, 1964
E04Chicken Dinner in Half an HourNovember 11, 1964
E05Rognons Sautés and FlambésDecember 2, 1964
E06The Mushroom ShowDecember 9, 1964
E07Veal Dinner in Half an HourDecember 16, 1964
E08Broiled Chicken Plain and SaucyDecember 23, 1964
E09Lamb Stew is French, TooJanuary 6, 1965
E10Introducing Charlotte MalakoffJanuary 13, 1965
E11Hot Turkey BallotineJanuary 20, 1965
E12Cold Turkey GalantineJanuary 27, 1965
E13Le Marquis au ChocolateFebruary 3, 1965
E14Vegetables for the BirdsFebruary 10, 1965
E15French Tarts, Apple StyleFebruary 17, 1965
E16French Jelly RollFebruary 24, 1965
E17Bûche de NoëlMarch 3, 1965
E18Beef Gets Stewed Two WaysMarch 10, 1965
E19Ham Dinner in Half an HourMarch 17, 1965
E20CroissantsMarch 24, 1965

Season 4 (1965)

EpisodeSubjectAir Date
E01Chocolate SouffleMarch 31, 1965
E02Four in Hand ChickenApril 7, 1965
E03BriochesApril 14, 1965
E04Veal Prince OrloffApril 21, 1965
E05Great BeginningsApril 28, 1965
E06Turban of SoleMay 5, 1965
E07Strawberry TartsMay 12, 1965
E08The Shrimp ShowMay 19, 1965
E09Salad FixingsMay 26, 1965
E10Non-collapsible Cheese SouffléJune 2, 1965
E11QuichesJune 9, 1965
E12Fish Dinner in Half an HourJune 16, 1965
E13French Veal StewJune 23, 1965
E14ImprovisationJune 30, 1965
E15The Empress's RiceJuly 7, 1965
E16Coquilles St. JacquesJuly 14, 1965
E17More about SteaksJuly 21, 1965
E18To Poach a SalmonJuly 28, 1965
E19Invitation To LunchAugust 4, 1965
E20Beef in Red WineNovember 17, 1965

Season 5 (1965-1966)

EpisodeSubjectAir Date
E01Your Own French Onion SoupNovember 24, 1965
E02Chicken in CocotteDecember 11, 1965
E03Queen of Sheba Cake (black & white)December 18, 1965
E04New YearJanuary 1, 1966
E05To Poach Sole FiletsJanuary 8, 1966
E06Chop Dinner in Half an HourJanuary 15, 1966
E07Filet of Beef WellingtonJanuary 22, 1966
E08Apple CharlotteJanuary 29, 1966
E09More Great BeginningsFebruary 5, 1966
E10Roast Suckling PigFebruary 12, 1966
E11More about PotatoesFebruary 19, 1966
E12Steak Dinner in Half an HourFebruary 26, 1966
E13The Endive ShowMarch 5, 1966
E14Saddle of LambMarch 12, 1966
E15NapoleonsMarch 19, 1966
E16Paella à l'AméricaineMarch 26, 1966
E17Dinner Party First CourseApril 6, 1966
E18Dinner Party Main CourseApril 13, 1966
E19Dinner Party Meringue DessertApril 20, 1966
E20Soupe au PistouApril 27, 1966
E21QuenellesMay 4, 1966

Season 6 (1966)

EpisodeSubjectAir Date
E01Génoise CakeMay 11, 1966
E02Petits FoursMay 18, 1966
E03The Mayonnaise ShowMay 25, 1966
E04Swordfish Dinner in a Half HourJune 1, 1966
E05OssobucoJune 8, 1966
E06Sweetbreads and BrainsJune 15, 1966
E07Asparagus from Tip to ButtJune 22, 1966
E08Operation ChickenJune 29, 1966
E09To Poach a ChickenJuly 6, 1966
E10Mousses, Bombes and ParfaitsJuly 13, 1966
E11Bourride and AïoliJuly 20, 1966
E12To Poach an EggJuly 27, 1966
E13Roast Leg of LambAugust 3, 1966
E14Lobster ThermidorAugust 10, 1966
E15Speaking of TonguesAugust 17, 1966
E16Pipérade for LunchAugust 24, 1966
E17Turban of SoleAugust 31, 1966

Season 7 (1970-1971)

EpisodeSubjectAir Date
E01Bouillabaisse à la Marseillaise (color)October 7, 1970
E02Napoleon's ChickenOctober 14, 1970
E03Spinach TwinsOctober 21, 1970
E04Cake with a HaloOctober 28, 1970
E05Hamburger DinnerNovember 4, 1970
E06Salade NiçoiseNovember 11, 1970
E07Turkey Breast BraisedNovember 18, 1970
E08Lasagne à la FrançaiseNovember 25, 1970
E09Waiting for GigotDecember 2, 1970
E10How about LentilsDecember 9, 1970
E11Fish in Monk's ClothingDecember 16, 1970
E12Gâteau in a CageDecember 23, 1970
E13Cheese and Wine PartyDecember 30, 1970
E14Curry DinnerJanuary 6, 1971
E15Apple DessertsJanuary 13, 1971
E16Meat Loaf MasqueradeJanuary 20, 1971
E17To Roast a ChickenJanuary 27, 1971
E18Hard Boiled EggsFebruary 3, 1971
E19Boeuf BourguignonFebruary 10, 1971
E20Strawberry SouffléFebruary 17, 1971
E21Spaghetti FlambéFebruary 24, 1971
E22French BreadMarch 3, 1971
E23More about French BreadMarch 10, 1971

Season 8 (1971)

EpisodeSubjectAir Date
E01Vegetable for all OccasionsMarch 17, 1971
E02Pot au FeuMarch 24, 1971
E03Pizza VariationsMarch 31, 1971
E04Begin with ShrimpApril 7, 1971
E05Chocolate CakeApril 14, 1971
E06Working with ChocolateApril 21, 1971
E07To Press a DuckApril 28, 1971
E08Flaky PastryMay 5, 1971
E09Glamour PuddingMay 12, 1971
E10The Whole Fish StoryMay 19, 1971
E11VIP Veal: Poitrine FarcieMay 26, 1971
E12Brochettes, Kebabs and SkewersJune 2, 1971
E13Rye BreadJune 6, 1971
E14Flaming FishJune 13, 1971
E15Summer SaladsJune 20, 1971
E16Lobster ShowJune 27, 1971
E17Coq au Vin Alias Chicken FricasseeJuly 7, 1971
E18Mousse au ChocolatJuly 14, 1971
E19Quiche Lorraine and CompanyJuly 21, 1971
E20To Stuff a SausageJuly 28, 1971

Season 9 (1971-1972)

EpisodeSubjectAir Date
E01The ArtichokeNovember 3, 1971
E02Tartes aux Fruits (Fruit Tarts)November 10, 1971
E03To Roast a TurkeyNovember 17, 1971
E04French CroissantsNovember 24, 1971
E05Soup du JourDecember 1, 1971
E06Terrines and PâtésDecember 8, 1971
E07Madeleines and Génoise Jelly RollDecember 15, 1971
E08To Make a BûcheDecember 22, 1971
E09Le CocktailDecember 29, 1971
E10Gallic Pot RoastJanuary 2, 1972
E11Cheese SouffléJanuary 9, 1972
E12The Good LoafJanuary 16, 1972
E13The Hollandaise FamilyJanuary 23, 1972
E14Tripes à la ModeJanuary 30, 1972
E15Sole Bonne FemmeFebruary 6, 1972
E16Orange Bavarian CreamFebruary 13, 1972
E17To Stuff a CabbageFebruary 20, 1972
E18The Omelette ShowFebruary 27, 1972
E19Elegance with AspicMarch 5, 1972
E20French FriesMarch 12, 1972
E21Ham TransformationMarch 19, 1972
E22Ice CreamMarch 26, 1972

Season 10 (1972-1973)

EpisodeSubjectAir Date
E01For Working Guys and GalsOctober 1, 1972
E02Small Kitchen, Big IdeasOctober 8, 1972
E03Coffee and BriocheOctober 15, 1972
E04Brunch for a BunchOctober 22, 1972
E05VIP Cake [Le Brantome]October 29, 1972
E06To Ragoût a GooseNovember 5, 1972
E07Sudden CompanyNovember 12, 1972
E08First Course Sit Down DinnerNovember 19, 1972
E09Main Course Sit Down DinnerNovember 26, 1972
E10Grand Finale Sit Down DinnerDecember 3, 1972
E11Kids Want to CookDecember 10, 1972
E12Two-Dollar BanquetJanuary 7, 1973
E13Puff Pastry to GoJanuary 14, 1973

Companion books

Two companion cookbooks were written along with the show. The French Chef Cookbook was a show-by-show breakdown of the black and white series,[14] while From Julia Child's Kitchen was a somewhat more ambitious work that was based on the color series but also added considerable extra material.[15]

DVD releases

  • Julia Child's Kitchen Wisdom (2000)
  • Julia and Jacques: Cooking at Home (2003)
  • Julia Child: America's Favorite Chef (2004)
  • The French Chef: Volume One (2005)
  • The French Chef: Volume Two (2005)
  • The French Chef with Julia Child (As Seen on Public Television). WGBH 2005 3 DVDs, runtime 432 min. (2005)
  • Julia Child! The French Chef (2006)
  • The French Chef: Julia Child's French Classics (2012)[16]
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References

  1. J.C. Maçek III (August 13, 2012). "Bless This Mess: Sweeping the Kitchen with Julia Child". PopMatters.
  2. "Food: Everyone's in the Kitchen". Time. November 25, 1966. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  3. Temple, Joseph (September 19, 2014). "8 Facts about Julia Child and The French Chef that may surprise you". The International Wine & Food Society. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  4. "Personal Award for The French Chef". Peabody Award. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  5. "Personal Award for The French Chef". Primetime Emmy Award. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  6. "A Brief History of Captioned Television". National Captioning Institute. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved April 28, 2011. While the closed captioning service was being developed, there were some programs with "open" captions airing on PBS. In 1972, The French Chef became the very first television program that was accessible to deaf and hard of hearing viewers.
  7. http://www.worldcat.org/title/french-chef-with-julia-child/oclc/59134316?page=citation
  8. "Julia Child Marathon: Introducing the Official Food Channel with The French Chef!". Retrieved March 23, 2016.
  9. "Julia Child is the next PBS star to get a Twitch marathon". Retrieved March 23, 2016.
  10. "Food Channel Continues with 24/7 Cooking Programming". Retrieved March 23, 2016.
  11. Riley Fitch, Noel (1997). Appetite for Life: The Biography of Julia Child (p. 279). ISBN 9780307948380.
  12. "Julia Child Foundation". Julia Child Foundation. March 7, 2019.
  13. "Julia Child Foundation". Julia Child Foundation. March 7, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  14. Julia Child (1963). The French Chef Cookbook. Alfred A. Knopf. p. 424.
  15. Julia Child (1970). From Julia Child's Kitchen. Alfred A. Knopf. p. 687.
  16. Lambert, David (August 15, 2012). "The French Chef – Press Release: 'Julia Child's French Classics' DVD, On Her 100th Birthday". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on August 17, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
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