Julia Child: A Recipe for Life

April 18, 2025 – March 8, 2026

The MAC will open on April 18, 2025, with Julia Child: A Recipe for Life, an exhibition exploring the life and career of the famous chef, author and television personality who made French cuisine accessible to American audiences.

Produced in partnership with Flying Fish, one of the world’s leading exhibit producers, the exhibition provides an experience that stimulates all the senses, building on the ideas explored in the Museum’s earlier exhibition, France is a Feast: The Photographic Journey of Paul & Julia Child. This expanded successor dives deeper into the key ingredients of Julia’s personal journey—her insatiable curiosity, tenacious spirit, and passion for teaching—which became part of the American culinary revolution, profoundly transforming American cuisine, food culture, and broadcasting.

“Julia Child’s legacy continues to inspire new generations to learn to cook and pursue their dreams. As one of the most comprehensive portraits of Julia’s story, Julia Child: A Recipe for Life is a not to be missed exploration of her journey and continued influence,” said Todd Schulkin, Executive Director of the Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts, a Foundation created by Julia to carry on her contributions to the food world.

Pivotal, inspiring moments in Julia’s life are highlighted along with the family and friends who supported her life and career, offering a more intimate view beyond her iconic status as a television personality and author. Visitors will experience interactive spaces like The French Chef television studio, where they can operate a vintage video camera, mix “ingredients”, and feel like part of the show. Photographs by Julia’s husband, Paul Child, are also included, along with her personal correspondence and favorite kitchen tools. A special addition just for Napa Valley visitors is Julia’s traveling demonstration kitchen, which belonged to her friend, legendary winemaker Warren Winiarski and is now on loan from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars.

“Our mission was to celebrate Julia Child’s profound impact on American culture and offer an immersive and enlightening visitor experience. Together with the Napa Valley Museum, we’ve crafted a journey that pays tribute to Julia’s culinary prowess and honors her tenacity and unwavering spirit,” said Jay Brown, Principal & Managing Director of Flying Fish.

“This traveling exhibition launched in May of 2023 and has already been embraced by nearly 400,000 visitors across the East Coast and Midwest, but this is the first time it will be seen in California – Julia’s birthplace,” says Laura Rafaty, Napa Valley Museum Executive Director. “We couldn’t think of a more fitting exhibition to launch our new flagship Museum location than a tribute to the woman who turned American televisions into her teaching kitchen, challenging us to “master the art of French Cooking” and more. Whether you are a chef, a home cook, or just love food, The MAC invites visitors to learn more about the beloved broadcasting and culinary pioneer, and experience the joy, humor, and heart Julia brought to the kitchen along with her famous sign-off: “Bon appétit!”

Collaborators

Julia Child: A Recipe for Life is a traveling exhibition produced and toured internationally by Flying Fish, in collaboration with the Napa Valley Museum, under rights granted by The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts and The Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, and generously sponsored by the Kuo Family Fund.

With Thanks To

Events

<h3><strong>Speaker/Book Signing</strong></h3><h3><strong>Alex Prud'homme</strong></h3>

Date: TBD

Meet Julia and Paul's grand-nephew, Julia's coauthor on "My Life in France," and author of "The French Chef in America," "France is a Feast: Paul and Julia Child's Photographic Journey," "Dinner with the President:Food, Politics, and a History of Breaking Bread at the White House," "Born Hungry" and other books.

More details coming soon — sign up so you don’t miss a thing!

Speaker/Book Signing
Paula J. Johnson

Date: TBD

Meet Paula Johnson, curator and public historian of the Smithsonian'sNational Museum of American History, and one of the original curators of its Julia Child exhibition, on her new book: Julia Child's Kitchen: The Design, Tools, Stories, and Legacy of an Iconic Space.