My Husband Learned to Grocery Shop From Julia Child — And I Couldn't Be More Grateful

They don't call jealousy "the green-eyed monster" for no reason. I should know. I once was incredibly jealous of my now husband, Charlie, because he used to go shopping for "green things" with Julia Child. I'm serious, the one and only, Julia Child. Of the two of us, I'm the cook. And though I was able to meet her on a number of occasions, Charlie was her produce shopping buddy! I hardly need to tell you… THAT'S NOT FAIR.

I'll backtrack a bit and explain.

A year or two before we met in 1978, Charlie was working as a temp at the front desk of the Robert B. Brigham Hospital for Incurables. As you can imagine from the name, they took care of folks who were seriously ill, and in the hospital for long stretches of time. And every Wednesday, a very tall woman with a distinctively flutey voice came to the hospital to visit with the patients staying there. Charlie immediately recognized the famous "French chef." He introduced himself, beginning a very affable, weekly workplace friendship.

One Saturday, he was shopping at an Italian market in the North End (in Boston). He spotted Julia — she was hard to miss — and asked her if he could "follow her around" while she shopped, hoping he could glean some wisdom by watching her select her produce. Without hesitation, she said no.

But before Charlie could react, she clarified that while he couldn't "follow her around," he could certainly shop WITH her. So off they went, with Julia picking up all of the fruits and vegetables they passed, telling him to "feel the weight," and ordering him to smell everything. At first, he only sort of smelled a piece of fruit, and Julia admonished him to get his nose in there and really breathe it in. According to Julia, if a given piece of fruit feels light in the hand, and you can't really detect the distinct scent of whatever it is — don't buy it. Also, pay attention to the color, versus whether or not it's blemish-free. As far as meat and fish goes, she instructed him to (again) look, smell, and if possible, touch. Essentially, shop mindfully and with your senses, because there truly isn't a better (or more enjoyable) approach.

Eventually, Charlie's temp job at the hospital ended, so he wasn't seeing Julia every Wednesday...

Fast forward at least a decade; Charlie and I were both working as cater-waiters, as did all young theater folk in the 80s. Working a benefit for the New York Public Library, at the home of then Food & Wine magazine editor in chief Carole Lalli, Charlie answered the door, and there was Julia. As he let her in and took her coat, he tentatively said (something along the lines of), "Mrs. Child, I know you couldn't possibly remember me…" She looked at him for a moment, and warbled, "OH, that boy from the hospital!" He then spent the rest of the party — with the host's permission, of course — alongside her as she autographed copies of her latest book for awestruck guests.

Visiting the sick. Taking the receptionist shopping, while giving him a crash course in how to recognize the best food. Remembering the same desk temp over a decade later. Her incredible recipes and TV programs that made America fall in love with cooking on an entirely different level aside — those three things tell you what you need to know about Mrs. Paul Child.

Listen to the Homemade podcast for more memories of Julia Child.

Other than recounting a story that I genuinely love, why am I telling you this now? During these last (almost) two crazy years, Charlie shouldered the burden of leaving the house and taking care of the grocery shopping. And even though the idea of someone, anyone, buying our fruits and vegetables except for myself, is generally horrifying for me...I was actually OK. Because my husband was armed with knowledge, passed on to him by America's greatest cook and cooking teacher (in my opinion). I knew he would feel, weigh, visually inspect, and smell all fruits and vegetables before buying them. He would ask questions at the meat and fish counters, just like she taught him.

I let go of my jealousy over Charlie and Julia years ago. I met Julia frequently enough myself, but they had a special bond, and I am thankful for that. During COVID, with him doing all of our shopping, I've realized that I am the fortunate beneficiary of the time he spent with her, shopping at a farmer's market in Boston. At this point, the most important thing I have to say about it is thank you, Charlie; thank you, Julia.

Related:

• Our Moms' Best Grocery Shopping Secrets
• Farmers' Market vs. Grocery Store Produce: What to Buy Where
• How to Shop for 5 Popular Fall Fruits and Vegetables