Watch Julia & Jacques Cooking at Home

Julia Child, the iconic American chef, teamed up with Jacques Pepin, an acclaimed French chef, for the cooking show "Julia & Jacques Cooking at Home" in 1999. The show was produced by A La Carte Communications and aired on Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). The show focused on Julia and Jacques cooking together in Julia's home kitchen in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The premise was simple: two of the world's greatest chefs sharing their passion for food and cooking with each other and their audience. The duo would take turns cooking and instructing each other on different dishes from their respective cultures, making for a delightful blend of American and French cuisine.

Julia Child, at the age of 87, was already an established culinary personality in the United States due to her classic cookbook "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" and her long-running television series, "The French Chef." Jacques Pepin, on the other hand, was known for his numerous cookbooks, his role as a personal chef to three French heads of state, and his television show "Today's Gourmet," which aired in the 1980s.

Viewers of "Julia & Jacques Cooking at Home" were treated to a unique experience in cooking shows. Unlike other cooking shows, there was no studio audience or over-the-top production value. Instead, the show felt more like a behind-the-scenes peek into two friends cooking and chatting in a homey kitchen. The show was all about the food and the joy of cooking, rather than drama or competition.

Each episode of "Julia & Jacques Cooking at Home" would begin with Julia and Jacques choosing what to cook. They would often raid Julia's pantry and fridge, putting together a menu based on what ingredients they had on hand. This informal approach to the show allowed for a lot of improvisation and creativity, and viewers were able to see firsthand how two world-class chefs would work together to create a delicious meal.

Throughout each episode, Julia and Jacques would share their tips and techniques for cooking, as well as amusing anecdotes about their respective culinary careers. They would joke and tease each other, and their on-screen chemistry was evident. The show was as much about their friendship as it was about their love of food.

Viewers were treated to a wide array of dishes in each episode, ranging from classic French specialties like quiche and ratatouille, to American comfort food like meatloaf and cornbread. Julia and Jacques would often put their own spin on traditional dishes, resulting in unique and delicious creations.

One standout episode featured the duo creating a traditional French holiday meal, complete with roasted goose, oysters, and a Buche de Noel (Yule log cake). Another memorable episode saw them making classic American dishes like fried chicken and macaroni and cheese, with a French twist.

The show's appeal extended beyond the United States, as it was also broadcast in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It garnered critical acclaim, winning a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Culinary Program in 2000.

Overall, "Julia & Jacques Cooking at Home" was a delightful cooking show that showcased the talents and camaraderie of two culinary legends. The show was a perfect blend of American and French cuisine, and viewers were able to learn from the best while being entertained by the playful banter between Julia and Jacques. The show was a fitting tribute to Julia Child, who passed away in 2004 at the age of 91, and a testament to the enduring legacy of one of America's most beloved chefs.

Julia & Jacques Cooking at Home is a series that ran for 1 seasons (22 episodes) between September 11, 1999 and on A La Carte Communications