A SLT Hero: All the Reasons We Love Julia Child

Few voices in culinary history ring louder—or warmer—than Julia Child’s.

With her signature “Bon appétit!” and her fearless affection for butter, she didn’t just bring French cooking into American homes—she made it joyful, accessible and fun.

As Sur La Table celebrates our Anniversary Sale, we’re raising a glass (and a whisk) to Julia Child, whose legacy continues to inspire kitchens everywhere.

Celebrate Julia. Celebrate cooking.
From classic tools to French favorites, discover kitchen essentials inspired by the woman who made us fall in love with food.
Shop the Anniversary Sale

Julia’s Legacy

 Julia changed the way Americans thought about food.

Through Mastering the Art of French Cooking and her groundbreaking television shows, she gave home cooks permission to experiment, to laugh at their mistakes and to savor the process. Today, in an era where cooking can feel like a chore, Julia reminds us: it’s supposed to be a joy.

Her Connection to Sur La Table

When Shirley Collins opened the first Sur La Table in 1972, Julia Child was already changing the way America cooked. Both women shared the same belief: that the kitchen should be a place of joy, discovery and connection.

In 1982, Julia paid a visit to Seattle for a fundraising event for St. Mark’s Cathedral: to teach cooking classes at the Sur La Table store in Pike Place Market.

It was there that she met our founder, Shirley Collins.

Shirley had not only been inspired to open Sur La Table by reading (and cooking) her way through Julia’s cookbook, but she was the first retailer on the West Coast selling the Cuisinart food processor

—an appliance that Julia hailed as “revolutionary” for kitchen prep.

And just as Julia taught millions to cook with courage (and a little extra butter), we’ve always worked to put the right tools and inspiration in cooks’ hands.

Whether it’s a cocotte that goes from stovetop to table, a whisk that feels just right in your hand, or a class that demystifies French sauces, the goal is the same: make cooking fun, fearless and delicious.

She Made French Cooking Fun (and Fearless)

For Julia, French cuisine was never about intimidation—it was about adventure. Her recipes demystified coq au vin and boeuf bourguignon, while her booming laugh reminded us that a fallen soufflé was no reason to give up.

Her kitchen was stocked with sturdy, reliable tools she trusted: a heavy-bottomed Le Creuset Dutch Oven for braises, a classic balloon whisk for mousses and meringues and timeless copper mixing bowls for whipping egg whites to perfection. They weren’t just utensils—they were partners in her culinary escapades.

Her Kitchen Was a Character Too

Julia’s pegboard-lined kitchen, now preserved at the Smithsonian, became almost as famous as she was. Every pot, pan and ladle had its place; it’s a reminder that a well-loved kitchen should be both functional and inspiring.

You can bring that same spirit home with an acacia knife block that keeps essentials close at hand, Staub cocottes that move seamlessly from stovetop to table and Emile Henry bakeware that proves practicality and beauty can happily share the same dish.

Even a set of olivewood tools adds a touch of craftsmanship Julia herself would have admired.

Recipes That Channel Julia’s Spirit

If you want to cook like Julia, start with the classics:

• Coq au Vin – Chicken slow-braised in wine with mushrooms and herbs.
• Beef Bourguignon – A deeply flavored stew that turns humble beef into an event.
• Cheese Soufflé – Light, airy, and delightfully dramatic.
• French Crêpes – A canvas for sweet or savory fillings.
• Chocolate Mousse – Decadent, rich and always a crowd-pleaser.

With the right tools at your fingertips, these recipes become less daunting and more deliciously fun.

Julia’s Real Lesson: Don’t Be Afraid of Cooking

 More than recipes or techniques, Julia taught us that cooking should be approached with courage and joy.

Mistakes? They’re just part of the fun. Confidence? It comes from practice—and a little butter. At Sur La Table, we believe in the same philosophy: that with the right tools and inspiration, anyone can find joy in the kitchen.

Celebrate Julia. Celebrate cooking.
From classic tools to French favorites, discover kitchen essentials inspired by the woman who made us fall in love with food.
Shop the Anniversary Sale