Julia Child’s The Way to Cook: A Timeless Classic for Every Home Kitchen

Julia Child taught generations how to cook, and her How to Cook remains an essential guide. For me, it's more personal. I had the great honor of knowing her and working with her in Providence on a project. She was kind, generous and incredibly joyous. The time and commitment she gave to creating this masterpiece is why every home cook should have it on their shelves. She created a bridge between French classics and everyday cooking.

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This Café Life Cooks French: Julie & Julia

Adapted from favorite French recipes, this gluten-free version is warm and comforting. The prep and execution are easy, but the cooking takes some time. We all know that good things are worth the wait.

French Onion Soup → Recipe here

Born in France, perfected in autumn. The apple tarte tatin — caramelized apples, buttery pastry, and a touch of rustic perfection — captures the essence of both French technique and New England harvest tradition.

Tarte Tatin → Recipe here

Bring French culinary art into your home →

Elevate your soup nights with these classic French onion soup crocks. Perfect for onion soup, mac & cheese, or hearty stews. Durable, timeless, and chef-approved — an essential tool for every home cook.

Shop these must-have crocks and bring restaurant-quality soups to your table. Shop our curated kitchen essentials here →

Build a Thoughtful Culinary Library

Cooking is a lifelong craft, and every great cook builds a library that reflects both skill and curiosity. The following titles are more than recipe collections — they’re lessons in flavor, patience, and creativity. Whether you’re drawn to the discipline of French technique, the warmth of rustic kitchens, or the art of slow, seasonal cooking, these books invite you to cook with intention and joy. Explore these reviews and begin curating a collection that inspires you every time you open a page.

• The French Laundry Cookbook — Thomas Keller

• Simply French — Patricia Wells

• The Way to Cook — Julia Child

• Café Boulud Cookbook — Daniel Boulud

• Nobu: The Cookbook — Nobuyuki Matsuhisa

• Splendid Soups — James Peterson

• On Top of Spaghetti - Johanne Killeen & George Germon

• Blue Chair Cookbook - Rachel Saunders

Visit the full collection → Chef-Curated Cookbook Library | This Café Life

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