Julia Child Cooked In This Kitchen

PBS Food asks chef Christopher Gross about his time with Julia Child on the show, In Julias Kitchen with Master Chefs. In the midst of the Julia Child 100th Birthday Celebration, Gross pays tribute to her legacy.

What was it like working with Julia Child? I had served on the AIWF board as local chair and would see her from time to time and she had been several times to my restaurant and had done some of the merci Julia dinners. She was very sharp and would always seem to say what she was thinking. When doing the show it was a little nerve racking because I was wondering if I would do something wrong. She impressed me with her integrity. It was about cooking and teaching not about endorsements to sell her name and make money recommending knifes, pots and pans. What do you believe is Julia Childs lasting legacy? She brought French food to the United States even more so the technique of French cooking. She made it look easy and made it less intimidating and that it was ok to make a mistake . What was the impact of appearing on "In Julias Kitchen with Master Chefs?" It was great, just last week we did a large party that they brought the book that I was in to sign after dinner and doing a demo from the book. I was lucky to meet her, the book that i was in, I think her media trip started here in Phoenix with its release . We started early in morning first with radio then two Tv interviews , then a book signing lunch one more radio interview, followed by book store signing and then an other dinner and the next day at my house for TV news program. I was tired. Not to mention years later I was selling my house and I would not move on the price. The couple went into the next room and I heard the wife say I want this house. Julia Child cooked in this kitchen. Christopher Gross's opened his newest and most modern restaurant and lounge to date at the Biltmore Fashion Park in Phoenix, Christophers & Crush Lounge. Christopher consults regularly for Club Med, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Cruise Lines, Disney and others. Christopher has also been featured on numerous panels with Jacques Pepin and Julia Child at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen.