Presented by Terry Burson, Author

“A house without a cat is like a day without sunshine, a pie without fromage, a dinner without wine.” — Julia Child

The world knows Julia Child as the charismatic woman who brought French cuisine to America and became a TV sensation, but there’s one aspect of her life that’s not so familiar. Soon after the Childs arrived in Paris in 1948, a French cat appeared on their doorstep, and Julia recalled, “Our domestic circle was completed.” Minette captured Julia’s heart, igniting a lifelong passion for cats equaled only by her love of food and her husband, Paul. All the cherished feline companions who shared Julia’s life—in Paris, Provence, and finally California—reminded her of that magical time in Paris when her life changed forever.

From Julia’s and Paul’s letters and original interviews with those who knew her best, Patricia Barey and Therese Burson have gathered fresh stories and images that offer a delightfully intimate view of a beloved icon.

Ms. Burson, a PhD in English, taught college literature, wrote scripts for national PBS series on the environment and school desegregation, and produced an award-winning documentary about The Art Institute of Chicago. She lives in Evanston, IL, in a maison currently sans chat. Throughout the writing of this book, the two authors found sustenance and inspiration in their butter-stained copies of Julia’s masterful cookbooks.

Program hosted at Kendall College.