40 Rare Photos Of Julia Child You've Probably Never Seen Before (2024)

Julia launched her award-winning television series, The French Chef, in 1962 after the success of her first cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. On the show, Julia taught her viewers how to conquer recipes they might normally have been too intimidated to attempt, always with a smile on her face.

We'll never know what recipe Julia was shopping for here, but we're certain it was undoubtedly delicious.

Julia released her second cookbook, The French Chef Cookbook, in 1968, so it's possible this dish was being photographed to appear within its pages.

When the Childs crew moved back to America, they settled down in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Savenor's Market, a Boston mainstay, became Julia's go-to butcher shop. She sourced all of the meat for her television show, The French Chef, from the business during its 10-year run. Jack, the shop owner, was even on the show as a guest a few times.

Julia appeared on television with countless famous chefs throughout her career. Here, she's cleaning a large fish with the one and only James Beard in front of the camera.

You know what they say: Couples who wine and dine together... No wonder this duo was married for nearly 50 years.

Julia expertly cuts up a leg of lamb that will appear in one of her many cookbooks—and Paul is ready and waiting to capture the moment over her shoulder. Teamwork makes the dream work.

The focus! The concentration! There's no doubt that Julia and Paul picked the perfect shellfish for whatever meal the night had in store.

Julia was known to sing her way through her television series, so it should come as no surprise that she also played the piano. Here, she and her husband Paul give an informal recital at home.

The location and context of this photo are unknown, but it proves just how tied at the hip Julia and Paul were throughout their life together.

Frequented by politicians, actors, and locals alike, the Quorum helped put Denver, Colorado on the culinary map during its 30 years in operation from 1960-1990. Here, Julia visits the establishment and hangs with its owner, iconic restaurateur Pierre Wolf.

Julia's second television series, Julia Child & Company, premiered in 1978. This photo shows Julia preparing to turn an intimidating monk fish into something delectable on set.

Julia's television appearances weren't limited to her own series. Over the course of her career, she taught icons, including Johnny Carson, David Letterman, Dick Cavett, and more, how to cook with pizazz.

What could the context of this image possibly be? We will never know for certain, but it's clear that Axelrod's Easy-Dieter yogurt was not one of Julia's favorite snacks.

Julia's home kitchen (pictured here) now stands on display on the ground floor of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History: Kenneth E. Behring Center, located in Washington, D.C.

Another day, another meaty recipe to be made! Dinner at Julia's was a 13-part series that premiered in1983.

Forty years into their marriage and Julia and Paul were still traveling, eating, and indulging together, this time in Santa Barbara.

You can still find the recipe for Julia's classic roast goose online, which she would serve with prune and foie gras stuffing. We're not drooling, you are.

Julia and Jay Leno preparing to share in a glass of champagne on The Tonight Show. If that's not glamorous, we don't know what is.