Government Spy to Gourmet Chef

Julia Child is remembered as a popular TV chef and author of a famous cookbook that adapted sophisticated French cuisine for mainstream Americans. Few realized that Julia Child had worked for the Office of Strategic Services, the forerunner of the Central Intelligence Agency. 

Born in Pasadena, California in 1912, Julia McWilliams lived a privileged childhood. She was educated at the Katherine Branson School for Girls and Smith College. Julia was remembered by classmates as an adventurous, lively prankster.

At the beginning of World War II, Julia volunteered for the OSS. President Roosevelt's wartime spy network worked to reduce the threat of U-boats, the deadly Nazi submarines. Julia communicated top-secret documents between government officials and intelligence offices all around the world and was later honored for her service. 

Julia met her future husband and fellow OSS officer, Paul Child, while on assignment in Asia. When Paul was reassigned to the American Embassy in Paris, Julia developed an interest in French cuisine. She attended the famous Le Cordon Bleu cooking school. She and two friends formed their own cooking school. Together, they wrote Mastering the Art of French Cooking. It became a bestseller and a standard for the culinary community. 

Julia Child authored many more cookbooks. Her television program, "The French Chef," brought Julia Child into America's living rooms. Her sense of humor made her a beloved TV personality. After her death in 2004, the National Archives released classified records concerning 24,000 spies who served during wartime. Among the names mentioned was Julia Child.









- - - - - - - - - -
© Don Johnston Incorporated
For use with Protocol in Accommodations for Reading (PAR) by DeCoste & Wilson
donjohnston.com/par