 |
One of ACDC’s prizes—a Vassar apron signed by Meryl Streep ’71 |
Campus Dining Offers Wink to Alumna Meryl Streep’s Julie and Julia
Audiences around the world found themselves enchanted by this summer’s culinary film Julie and Julia, starring Meryl Streep ’71 as legendary chef Julia Child. But Streep isn’t the only Vassarion involved in the film, which tells the story of Child’s rise to fame alongside the journey a 21st century blogger who sets out to cook all of Child’s recipes in a year. Julie and Julia featured an appearance by Frances Sternhagen ’51, who plays chef Irma Rombauer, mother of Marion Rombauer ’25. Also portrayed in the movie is the husband of Julie and Julia author Julie Powell, alumnus Eric Powell ’96.
On September 5, current Vassar students got a taste of Julie and Julia, too, as Campus Dining spiced up the usual offerings at ACDC by offering classic recipes from Julia Child’s book Mastering the Art of French Cooking, including French onion soup, crepes, ratatouille, and boeuf bourguignon. To further entice attendees, Campus Dining offered a drawing for prizes including a copy of Child’s book and a Vassar apron autographed by Streep herself.
Campus Dining Marketing and Sustainability Director Kenneth Oldehoff, says, “I saw Meryl Streep being interviewed by Diane Sawyer and she seemed like such a genuine person and a good sport. I thought it would be fun to combine the food aspect—Julia Child's recipes—and the Vassar connection with Streep,” he says. Oldehoff notes that students really seemed to have fun and enjoy the French fare. “The event was a tremendous success, thanks to the ACDC’s staff”—which had to figure out how to translate recipes for eight people into those serving 1,600. Oldehoff reports, “One student at the dessert table said, ‘This is the happiest day of my life,’ and sort of meant it.” As Child herself used to say, "Bon appétit!"