The great legend of cuisine, Julia Child, passed away today in her sleep. She was three days short of her 91st birthday.

In the last half century, it would be hard to pick anyone who has had a greater influence on cooking and food than Julia. Her book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking introducted a generation to French cooking, and her early appearances on public television helped to further expand the culinary notions of a country for whom meatloaf and boiled vegetables were all too common. She always retained a sense of humor, and was eager to promote good food as something you shared with family and friends. I have recently enjoyed watching her interact with other chefs in her Master Chef series, as famous chefs interact with her she showed no fear in in expressing her opinions, and most would defer to her judgement.

I suspect the angels are dining well tonight.