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Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume 1: A Cookbook Paperback – September 12, 1983

by Julia Child (Author), Louisette Bertholle (Author), Simone Beck (Author)

4.8 7,721 ratings

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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The definitive cookbook on French cuisine for American readers: "What a cookbook should be: packed with sumptuous recipes, detailed instructions, and precise line drawings. Some of the instructions look daunting, but as Child herself says in the introduction, 'If you can read, you can cook.'" —Entertainment Weekly

“I only wish that I had written it myself.” —James Beard

Featuring 524 delicious recipes and over 100 instructive illustrations to guide readers every step of the way, Mastering the Art of French Cooking offers something for everyone, from seasoned experts to beginners who love good food and long to reproduce the savory delights of French cuisine.

Julia Child, Simone Beck, and Louisette Bertholle break down the classic foods of France into a logical sequence of themes and variations rather than presenting an endless and diffuse catalogue of dishes—from historic Gallic masterpieces to the seemingly artless perfection of a dish of spring-green peas. Throughout, the focus is on key recipes that form the backbone of French cookery and lend themselves to an infinite number of elaborations—bound to increase anyone’s culinary repertoire.

“Julia has slowly but surely altered our way of thinking about food. She has taken the fear out of the term ‘haute cuisine.’ She has increased gastronomic awareness a thousandfold by stressing the importance of good foundation and technique, and she has elevated our consciousness to the refined pleasures of dining." —Thomas Keller, The French Laundry

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WARNING: California’s Proposition 65

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The only cookbook that explains how to create authentic French dishes in American kitchens with American foods. Teaches the key techniques of French cooking, permitting many variations on a theme. Over 100 instructive drawings.

From the Back Cover

Mastering The Art of French Cooking is for both seasoned cooks and beginners who love good food and long to reproduce at home the savory delights of the classic cuisine, from the historic Gallic masterpieces to the seemingly artless perfection of a dish of spring- green peas. This beautiful book, with more than 100 instructive illustrations, is revolutionary in its approach.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Knopf; Updated ed. edition (September 12, 1983)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 716 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0394721780
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0394721781
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.85 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.98 x 1.44 x 9.98 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #123,790 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #83 in French Cooking, Food & Wine
- #203 in Cooking, Food & Wine Reference (Books)
- #696 in Celebrity & TV Show Cookbooks

Customer Reviews:
4.8 7,721 ratings

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Julia Child
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Julia Child was born in Pasadena, California. She was graduated from Smith College and worked for the OSS during World War II in Ceylon and China, where she met Paul Child. After they married they lived in Paris, where she studied at the Cordon Bleu and taught cooking with Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle, with whom she wrote the first volume of Mastering the Art of French Cooking (1961). In 1963, Boston's WGBH launched The French Chef television series, which made her a national celebrity, earning her the Peabody Award in 1965 and an Emmy in 1966. Several public television shows and numerous cookbooks followed. She died in 2004.
(Photo credit: (C) Michael P. McLaughlin)
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Simone Beck
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Simone (“Simca”) Beck was a French cookbook author and cooking teacher who, along with colleagues Julia Child and Louisette Bertholle, played a significant role in introducing French cooking to Americans. Best known as a partner in the creation of the two classic volumes of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, she was born in 1904 at Tocqueville en Caux, Normandy. After her first marriage ended in 1933, she began to study at the Cordon Bleu. A few years later, Beck, along with Julia Child and Louisette Bertholle, formed l'École des trois gourmandes to give lessons in French cooking to American women living in Paris. The school continued, on and off, into the late 1970s, and Beck and Child would continue to wear the school's badge on TV and in publicity photos for years to follow. While Child became a successful television chef and author in the United States, Beck continued teaching at home. In 1972 she published her own cookbook, Simca's Cuisine (with Patricia Simon), and a second volume, New Menus from Simca's Cuisine (with Michael James), followed in 1979. Food and Friends: Recipes and Memories from Simca's Cuisine (with Suzy Patterson), a joint memoir-cookbook, was published in 1991.
Simone Beck was portrayed by American actress Linda Emond in the 2009 film Julie and Julia.
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Louisette Bertholle
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Customer reviews

7,721 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the recipes in this cookbook descriptive and easy to understand. They appreciate the detailed information on ingredients, preparation, and kitchen setup. Many consider it a valuable addition to their cookbook collection and a great gift for someone who loves cooking. The book is described as tasty and satisfying even the most discerning palates. It's a must-have for serious cooks and a welcome addition to their library of cookbooks.

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Recipes Information quality Value for money Taste Gift value Kitchen value Book value Ease of preparation

586 customers mention "Recipes"550 positive36 negative

Customers enjoy the recipes from this book. They find the recipes easy to follow and understand, helping them improve their cooking techniques and meal planning skills. The book is recommended for gourmet cooks as well as those who want to learn how to set up a kitchen and prepare different types of recipes.

"...French Cooking isn’t just a cookbook—it’s a masterclass in the art, technique, and passion of cooking...." Read more

"...Her Boeuf Bourgignon recipe did not disappoint. This amazing cookbook is the most expansive cookbook I have ever owned." Read more

"This cookbook is a delight if you enjoy cooking incredible food by the person who influenced so many American home cooks...." Read more

"This is a CLASSIC cook book from Julia Child. Excellent." Read more

83 customers mention "Information quality"76 positive7 negative

Customers find the book informative and helpful for learning how to prepare ingredients. They appreciate the clear explanations and illustrations. The book provides useful information about shopping for ingredients and equipment. It is a valuable addition to any cookbook library for novice cooks.

"...It’s a guide, a teacher, and a culinary adventure all in one. Classic, thorough, and just plain tasty—Mastering the Art of French Cooking is a..." Read more

"...is worthwhile to learn about how some food is prepared, why certain ingredients are used, and how to be a better cook in general...." Read more

"...That french cuisine was smooth, not overpowering...." Read more

"...I love the chapter of the book that explains the American version of French ingredients. I can't wait to start cooking!" Read more

81 customers mention "Value for money"78 positive3 negative

Customers find the book a good value for money. They say it's a great addition to their cookbook collection and worth adding to their library in hardback.

"...It is a bit of a time consuming effort in some cases, but it is WORTH every minute...." Read more

"...Book was in great condition and found it for a great price second hand. Love the book!!" Read more

"This was a great buy, never been used." Read more

"...All are worthwhile investments. My wife and I don't need to go out...." Read more

53 customers mention "Taste"53 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the taste of the recipes. They find the dishes tasty and satisfying, with a good variety to satisfy even the most discerning palates. The French cuisine is smooth and not overpowering.

"...Classic, thorough, and just plain tasty—Mastering the Art of French Cooking is a timeless addition to any cook’s library." Read more

"...That french cuisine was smooth, not overpowering...." Read more

"...Fantastic flavor! It is so rich that it just melts in your mouth...." Read more

"...I was impressed with myself. The recipes were perfect, delicious, long, but written so well than even someone like me was able to follow them with..." Read more

45 customers mention "Gift value"45 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book as a gift. They say it's a great present for someone who loves cooking and a special treat.

"Love Julia and this book. I save purchased it for friends. Makes a great gift." Read more

"What a great book that took 12 years to be published. A great gift and a treasure to have." Read more

"This is a wonderful gift for the "cook in your life" especially when accompanied with the movie "Julia and Julie" that really helps bring it to life...." Read more

"Great gift, wife loved it." Read more

26 customers mention "Kitchen value"26 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a must-have in every kitchen. They say it's a welcome addition to their cookbook collection and a staple for serious cooks. The vegetable section is appreciated.

"...This amazing cookbook is the most expansive cookbook I have ever owned." Read more

"As a foodie, this is a must for your kitchen. Julia is a MasterChef and this book reflects many of her awesome talents...." Read more

"...all meat and potatos, but this book has so many meatless dishes and fish dishes...." Read more

"...This should be a staple in every kitchen." Read more

20 customers mention "Book value"20 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's value. They find it a nice hardcover edition with a sturdy cover, a good addition to their cookbook collection, and a must-have for libraries. The recipes are outstanding.

"...When I saw it on sale on Prime Day I had to buy it. It is a great edition...." Read more

"...It was a reprint and an anniversary edition and I was extremely pleased...." Read more

"...A wonderful hardbound edition." Read more

"Every food or cookbook library must include this classic . Hands down" Read more

27 customers mention "Ease of preparation"10 positive17 negative

Customers have varying views on the preparation of the recipes in the book. Some find them fairly fast to make, with timely techniques updated for modern cooking tools. They appreciate the easy-to-follow progression of skill levels and troubleshooting recommendations. Others find the directions confusing, not easy to follow, and time-consuming. The detailed instructions can be complicated and tough for beginners.

"To much for me. The directions were confusing, not easy to follow, no pictures. Not for me" Read more

"...Some take quite a while but others are fairly fast to make. Haven't made any that weren't worth the trouble." Read more

"...these recipes are somewhat involved and using this book requires some study and preperation...." Read more

"...What? That's the question Vol. 1 answers. It is really a prerequisite course. Forgive that pun." Read more

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Zach Trauernicht
Great Book for Beginners and Home Chefs looking to up their Game!
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2025
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Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking isn’t just a cookbook—it’s a masterclass in the art, technique, and passion of cooking. It brings back the memories of the quote from Ratatouille "Anyone can cook" and that is very true when you have this book in hand. Making it great for beginners and seasoned home chefs looking to up their game.

One of its greatest strengths is how it brings back the fundamentals. In an age where shortcuts and fast meals dominate, it reminds us that great cooking starts with a solid foundation. From knife skills to sauce-making, she breaks down techniques with precision and clarity, making even complex dishes feel approachable.

But beyond the technique, the true magic of this book is the darn good recipes that are in it!!

If you’re looking to up your game in the kitchen, this book is a must-have. It’s a guide, a teacher, and a culinary adventure all in one. Classic, thorough, and just plain tasty—Mastering the Art of French Cooking is a timeless addition to any cook’s library.

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3 people found this helpful

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Eric Fleischmann
Love Julia!
Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2024
Verified Purchase
Wanted this for years and picked it up this Thanksgiving to do something besides turkey. Her Boeuf Bourgignon recipe did not disappoint. This amazing cookbook is the most expansive cookbook I have ever owned.

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2 people found this helpful

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gary d
Julia Child Changed Cooking in the US
Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2024
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This cookbook is a delight if you enjoy cooking incredible food by the person who influenced so many American home cooks. Even if you never cook anything from the book, reading it is worthwhile to learn about how some food is prepared, why certain ingredients are used, and how to be a better cook in general. But I'm pretty sure after reading it, you'll be tempted to try at least a few recipes. Most are not that difficult!

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6 people found this helpful

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@Laura
EXCELLENT
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2024
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This is a CLASSIC cook book from Julia Child. Excellent.

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Nick
Not intimidating, just delicious
Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2024
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I was always a little intimidated by French cooking, but I shouldn't have been. This book makes it approachable and enjoyable. Just be ready to use butter—and lots of it—and you’ll fall in love with every dish.

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5 people found this helpful

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K. Cat
Make sure you have wine on hand
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2020
Verified Purchase
There are lots of recipes in here. Most include some sort of wine. They probably don't mean cooking wine but I don't drink so I got cooking wine. We tried a recipe that called for chicken and onions, etc. We cut the amount of onions down considerably and the onions were still really strong. I believe the recipe was supposed to have a strong flavor though. We made it for the almond flavor but the onions overpowered any chance of tasting the almonds. The onions were yellow onions. About 1/2 of an onion browned with garlic and butter. It was not like the french cuisine I had at a 4 star french restaurant. That french cuisine was smooth, not overpowering. It (the restaurant food) was so good of a flavor, you didn't want to stop eating and looked for things to dip the sauce into just to keep tasting the sauce. This french cuisine from the book was almost like it was its own cuisine. There are recipes that sound very good and some that do not sound good at all. The directions might not go into enough detail on some recipes to answer all your questions so be prepared for a little experimenting.
All in all, I think it is a neat book. It does not have as many recipes for things I would cook as what I hoped for. There should be something for everyone. If you don't cook with wine, don't bother. There aren't many recipes without it. Don't be afraid to alter the recipe. If we cooked the chicken as long as the directions called for, it would have been chicken jerky. If we used as much onion as it called for, it would have been in the garbage outside.
This book is written with the American in mind so you should be able to get the ingredients and understand mostly what to do. As mentioned, there are some details left out but you can get by without them. Just use a little imagination. Maybe see if you can find an old video of Julia making the dish to follow along with the book.

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20 people found this helpful

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Michael Burton
Meh
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2025
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To much for me. The directions were confusing, not easy to follow, no pictures. Not for me

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Bernard Frampton
Wonderful Book
Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2025
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Just as amazing as I thought it was going to be 😁 I would recommend this book to anyone that loves cook books and uses them frequently or someone that just wants to expand their cooking experience

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Martha Salinas
Muy bonito libro!
Reviewed in Mexico on November 28, 2023
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El libro tiene una excelente presentación de pasta dura con guarda polvo.
Contiene explicaciones de las recetas, lista de ingredientes acomodada conforme se van utilizando en el proceso de cocinar e imágenes ilustrativas

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Jo-Anne Brennan
Good purchase…thank you
Reviewed in Canada on November 13, 2024
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Good purchase…thank you

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Bianca
Uma verdadeira Bíblia
Reviewed in Brazil on June 25, 2021
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Não tenho nem palavras pra descrever o quanto amei adquirir esse clássico!!!!

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Francesco
Perfetto
Reviewed in Italy on July 20, 2021
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Libro in ottime condizioni

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Marie
Gran libro de cocina.
Reviewed in Spain on November 17, 2017
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Si uno tiene tiempo y le gusta la cocina, creo que este libro merece muchísimo la pena. Hay recetas muy básicas y otras de gran elaboración, en cualquier caso, insistiría en que tener una buena cantidad de tiempo resulta indispensable para sacarle partido.
Resulta una desventaja que ciertas recetas básicas estén en el volumen número I y otras en el volumen número II.

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Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume 1: A Cookbook Paperback – September 12, 1983

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5.0 out of 5 stars Muy bonito libro!

5.0 out of 5 stars Good purchase…thank you

5.0 out of 5 stars Uma verdadeira Bíblia

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfetto

5.0 out of 5 stars Gran libro de cocina.

Muy bonito libro!

Good purchase…thank you

Uma verdadeira Bíblia

Perfetto

Gran libro de cocina.