Finding Success Through Failure

By Kelly Rudnicki, Food Allergy Mama

The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking you've got to have a what-the-hell attitude. ? Julia Child

Julia Child was a fearless and ambitious icon in American television. Her cooking shows forever changed the landscape of TV programming by giving viewers something different than just news or sitcoms. Julia offered an endearing glimpse into her kitchen and single -handedly taught millions how to cook in a real and approachable manner.

Real cooking is all about finding success through failure. Many of us have made recipes and the end result completely bombed. Julia taught us to embrace our mistakes as a gift to lead to something unexpected and better. She had fun in the kitchen and was never afraid to laugh at herself. Her shows were unpretentious and educational. Julia made you feel like she was your best friend, sister, mother or grandmother on the other side of the camera, encouraging and teaching viewers to always cook without abandon.

I wouldnt be the cook I am today if it werent for watching Julia Child on PBS as a typical latchkey kid of the 1980s. I dreamed of making casseroles and beating a proper egg white. I dreamed of having a kitchen like hers, and to cook in as effortless manner as she did. I dreamed of being able to cook fantastic meals for my own family someday. But most of all I dreamed I could grow up and be half as cool in the kitchen as Julia. Even though Im not (because no one will ever be as cool and accomplished as Julie Child), Julia still made me feel like anything was possible. And thats the legacy Julia Child leaves behind, her what-the-hell attitude, and that anything IS possible.

Kelly Rudnicki is the author of the forthcoming The Food Allergy Mamas Easy and Fast Family Meals (February 2013), The Food Allergy Mamas Baking Book, Vegan Baking Classics as well as creator of the award winning blog www.foodallergymama.com. Her blog has been named Babbles Top Food Blog three consecutive years and ranked #6 in Healthiest Eating. She has appeared on The Martha Stewart Show, Windy City Live, WGN News and ABC News. Shes also been featured in numerous publications including The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Chicago Sun Times, Parenting, Shape Magazine, Family Fun Magazine, and Womans Day.

You can find Kate at her website Food Allergy Mama, as well as on Twitter.