Julia Child is gone, but certainly not forgotten. Festivities are taking place all over the United States to celebrate her 100th birthday this week, and Miami is no exception.
Her birthday officially takes place August 15, but according to Dorothee Rubin, incoming president of the Miami chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier, who was a good friend of the creative chef, "Julia hated the fact that her birthday fell on the 15th of August. Julia used to complain that everyone was on vacation during the month of August, so she couldn't celebrate properly. She started changing her birthday to September 15, when everyone was back in town and she could have a big party with friends, good food, and plenty of gifts."
Various events are taking place this week and later, during the second birthday phase, on September 15.
Pascal's on Ponce was one of the 100 restaurants chosen to officially create a special menu from her cookbook by the Julia Child Foundation.
Tomorrow the celebration dinner begins at Pascal's with an amuse-bouche of Swiss cheese gougère. First course is cold leek and potato vichyssoise, followed by a second course of roast duck breast à l'orange, Burssels sprouts, and fingerling potatoes. Dessert is a baked floating island, red praline, crème anglaise, and coffee macaroon. The price is $69.90, and a percentage will be donated to the JC Legacy Awards.
Chef Gabriela Machado's Copperbox Culinary Atelier in Wynwood is offering an all-inclusive Julia cookbook dinner with a wine pairing that will take place Wednesday and Thursday.
And finally, the Federal Food Drink & Provisions celebrates Julia's love of butter. Chef Cesar Zapata will prepare a Miami Spice menu to honor her. Tonight through August 18, enjoy white asparagus, onion tarte, fresh oysters or mussels, boeuf bourguignon en croute or veal meunière, or duck à l'orange or bouillabaisse.
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