Backstage With Julia

“This charming new memoir provides a firsthand account of what went on backstage . . . a chronicle of a dynamic era in American culinary history.” —The Austin Chronicle

From 1980 onward, Nancy Verde Barr was Julia Child’s friend and associate—the executive chef who helped orchestrate the television shows, cookbooks, and articles that made Julia such a beloved figure. Now, Barr looks back over their long association and brings to life the real Julia—the adventurous, inquisitive, and often mischievous woman who was completely unassuming despite her fame. Filled with vivid anecdotes and stories—from prepping a cooking demonstration on Good Morning America to vacationing with Julia in Italy—Backstage with Julia offers a delightful behind-the-scenes portrait of America’s most revered chef.

“Packed with endearing anecdotes.” —The New York Times Book Review

“Delves deeply into Child’s later years when she became a famous career woman thrust into the limelight . . . Barr’s recounting of Julia’s capers makes for a charming read.” —The Toronto Star

“[A] delightful and sprightly backstage look at life with Child.” —Publishers Weekly

“[A] lively, fun read . . . For those not privy to the mechanics of cooking on television, Barr’s anecdotes are an entertaining introduction to a world hidden to most of Julia’s audiences, and even more so to the audiences of contemporary cooking shows.” —Gastronomica

“The book's greatest strength lies in how Barr has captured the voice and personality of her friend and mentor; her stories about the woman . . . will enable readers to make a new connection to this larger-than-life figure who did so much to change the perception of food and cooking in America.” —Library Journal