List No. 029

MASTERING THE ART OF FRENCH COOKING

Julia Child

October 31st, 1960

As the author of more than a dozen bestselling cookbooks and the presenter of numerous successful cookery television programmes from the 1960s onwards, chef Julia Child was responsible for inspiring millions of Americans to be more creative in the kitchen. It was her first book, however, that made the biggest impact, published in 1961 to rave reviews and strong sales that continue to this day. In October 1961, months before its release, she wrote to her editor at Alfred A. Knopf publishers with a list of 28 potential titles for her debut. The last suggestion, Mastering the Art of French Cuisine, was eventually chosen.

Hoffsjef Lövenskioldsvei 26

Ovre Ullern, Olso

October 31, 1960

Mrs. Judith B. Jones, Editor

Alfred A. Knopf Inc.

501 Madison Avenue

New York City, NY

Dear Mrs. Jones:

TITLES: I don’t think the title should scare people, or that the sub-title should sound too puffy. I think a welcoming, friendly approach (with professional overtones) would be right. And I can see that xomething like “French Cooking” is not good as people might come into a bookstore and ask for “that book on French cooking”, and that would not necessarily mean us. However, it might be said in French:

LA BONNE CUISINE FRANÇAISE

As a matter of fact, I quite like that.

Subtitle: “The fundamental book on French cooking for everyone whose hobby is cooking, and who wants t o master the authentic French techniques. American ingredients. American measurements. American Terminology.”

Other title suggestions:

IN LOVE WITH FRENCH COOKING

COOKING IS MY HOBBY

LOVE AND FRENCH COOKING

THE HOBBY OF FRENCH COOKING

THE LOVE OF FRENCH COOKING

FRENCH COOKING AS A HOBBY

COOKING FOR LOVE

SCHOOL FOR FRENCH COOKS

THE FRENCH COOKING MASTER

SCHOOL FOR FRENCH COOKERY

COOKING MASTERY

A COURSE ON FRENCH COOKING

MASTERY OF FRENCH COOKING ( NO “the”)

THE PASSIONATE COOK

THE FRENCH KITCHEN

THE PASSIONATE FRENCH COOK

FOOD FROM FRANCE

FRENCH COOKING FOR FUN

FRANCE’S FOOD

FRENCH COOKING FOR LOVE

THE NOBLE ART OF FRENCH COOKING

FRENCH COOKING FOR EVERYONE

THE MASTER FRENCH COOKBOOK

COOK FOR YOUR SELF Á LA FRANÇAISE

GREAT FRENCH COOKING

THE COMPULSIVE COOK

COOKING IS MY HOBBY

MASTERING THE ART OF FRENCH CUISINE COOKING/COOKERY