The Dinner Party Guide: Julia Child Edit
Julia Child’s transformation of stodgy French food inspired us to share our modern take on her beloved dishes. With her upbeat attitude and approachable recipes, Julia changed the way Americans cook, eat, and live. She showed us that cooking isn’t just about following recipes—it’s about curiosity, confidence, and joy.
This month we honor her legacy, celebrating the spirit of learning, gathering, and savoring every bite.
Bon Appétit!
Time together is what matters most
Let us do the work. Get the Julia Child Dinner Party delivered to your door (or scroll to DIY it).
host like Julia
“People who love to eat are always the best people.”
— Julia Child
And they’re our people.
THE JULIA CHILD MOOD IS
Feminine but gutsy. Playful but deeply comforting.
A convivial, lingering dinner party in a Parisian apartment. A place where you feel at home, even if you’ve never been there. Easy abundance, unpolished elegance.
Slightly rumpled linens, bottle of wine within arm’s reach, forgotten spoon resting on a sauce-smeared plate.
Stay too long, pour one last glass, loosen another button.
•
INVITE
•
DELIGHT
•
GATHER
•
NOURISH
•
inside our julia child box
Chef Britt St. Clair on Julia Child —
“One of my first cookbooks was Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child. I asked for it on my 14th birthday, along with a set of 8 oz ramekins (I was adamant that they had to be 8 oz). After watching reruns of the French Chef on PBS, I became fixated on learning how to make soufflés.
When I made individual ones for my family, I quoted, “This is a maximum security oven. It’s not to be opened for 25 minutes or everybody will be court marshalled. There’s a souffle in it.” She was one of my earliest inspirations—the reason I first fell in love with French cooking and decided to pursue it professionally.”
"It's so beautifully arranged on the plate, you know someone's fingers have been all over it."
— Julia Child
diy the julia child menu
Simple recipes to recreate the PDC experience.
A specialty from the south of France with caramelized onions, anchovy fillets, and niçoise olives.
The classic leek & potato soup recipe found in most French households.
Once a peasant dish using cheap cuts of beef & wine from Burgundy, it’s now a beloved stew by all and arguably the most well-known dish of France.
Julia Child’s orange cake recipe with a 1960’s twist: marshmallow fluff frosting.
Questions about the recipes? Email Chef Britt at britt@parisdiningclub.com
“This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook- try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless, and above all have fun!”
— Julia Child
in your glass
The Cocktails —
Sip Sherry Cobblers while lazily snacking on pissaladiére before dinner. Or try Julia Child’s Upside-Down Martini. Julia loved cocktails (amen sister) but wasn’t a fan of overly strong drinks. Flip the traditional proportions of a martini to make vermouth the star.
The Wine —
Look to our friends at France44, North Loop Wines, and Thomas Liquors— they find gorgeous pairings for us each month. Explore all three lists to find the wine that suits your table best :)
"The sweetness and generosity and politeness and gentleness and humanity of the French had shown me how lovely life can be if one takes time to be friendly."
— Julia Child
l’art de la table
Julia embodies living life, not perfection. Let your table do the same. It should reflect joy and the cheeriness that rolls in with early spring days. Mix and match favorite items to tell the story of a life well lived, it will put guests at ease instantly.
Set your table like Julia —
Plates & Platters — Let the food shine. Use large platters for family-style serving. Layer floral granny plates (we like blue tones) with rustic earthenware. Mix and match.
Linens — Linen on linen. Cream or white. Wrinkles welcome. Doilies more welcome.
Glassware — Add texture with crystal coupes or cordial glasses.
Flowers/ Decor — Minimal decor because the food is the centerpiece. Dot the table with stemmed mandarins or choose flowers in the colors of Julia’s iconic mustard-yellow tablecloth or her soft teal kitchen walls. Long-stemmed moody, droopy tulips are the vibe.
Candles — Brass or crystal candlesticks. Always eat by candlelight.
Your table doesn’t need to be perfect. It needs to be full of stories.
"I would far prefer to have things happen as they naturally do, such as the mousse refusing to leave the mold, the potatoes sticking to the skillet, the apple charlotte slowly collapsing. One of the secrets of cooking is to learn to correct something if you can, and bear with it if you cannot."
— Julia Child
the atmosphere
The experience is about creating something wonderful.
Keep it casual. A long cocktail hour with Sherry Cobblers and pissaladière in the living room sets the tone.
Minimal prep means more time with guests. This menu is designed so you can enjoy the party, not be stuck in the kitchen.
Serve family-style. Pass dishes around the table for a convivial, easygoing vibe.
Be present, not perfect. Julia believed a good host spends time with guests, not fussing over every detail.
“Now whenever I’m doing a party and doing all the work myself, which is what usually do, I try and plan something that I can do really well and also that will fit into my schedule. Because I think one of the important things in having a party is that you’re able to spend as much time with your guests as possible and do all of the heavy cooking ahead of time.”
— Julia Child
Peter’s March Playlist
Filles indé et Garçons audacieux PDC / Indie Girls and Edgy Boys
My Mother was very fond of the following literary trope… March has two divergent beginnings and endings: Going in like a Lion and out like a Lamb. Or the converse. This idea did not occur to me until I finished the playlist and named it “Indie Girls and Edgy Boys!” I love the idea of aggressive Male “Lion” energy with the earthy juxtaposition of the Female “Lamb” energy and I subconsciously created a world where these two energies mix. Is Courtney Love a Lamb or a lion, Is Scott Weiland a Lamb or a Lion? Who can say? Is Madonna a Lamb or a Lion? WRONG she’s a LEO you should have known that one :)
Duran Duran and Screaming Trees inspired this mix, perhaps pushing the limits of what’s acceptable dinner music. Jamie always likes to tick up the volume at the Seating of dinner to wind everyone up and force them to lean in and talk a bit louder, be more bold, and express themselves a little more forcefully. I think these songs exemplify this vibe. Peaks and Valleys, lots of Indie Female voices but a rock streak throughout. I intend for these curations to be enjoyed on the shuffle function, to appreciate the randomness of the matrix.