What a bad food blogger I am.

So, I rarely run out and see movies the minute they are released (in fact, I never do, unless we’re talking about Harry Potter). I usually wait until they make it to the dollar theater or the top of my Netflix queue. I just think it’s more prudent to spend my $8 on a good glass of wine or a really fantastic cheese. But, as one of the hordes of food bloggers now clogging the internet, I am remiss for not having seen Julie and Julia, a whole movie based around the idea of sharing your passion for cooking with the world around you. That is, until tonight. Thanks to a Redbox coupon, I had a free rental tonight, and I finally decided to catch up to my peers and watch Julie and Julia (BTW, if you haven’t heard of/tried Redbox, it’s awesome! $1/night movie rentals!).

I must say, I enjoyed it. This being the day after the Oscars, I thought Meryl Streep was fantastic (but then again, when isn’t Meryl Streep just phenomenal?).  I wish I could say I really felt inspired or moved, but I didn’t. Perhaps it’s because I don’t make recipes like beef bourguignon or lobster thermidor. I don’t know how to debone a duck or make an aspic (eeewww). Julia Child was a wonderful woman, teaching herself how to cook and sharing her genuine love for it with the world – I mean, she basically single-handedly brought French cooking to American kitchens- but I just don’t think I have any inspirational cooking figures like her in my life. Sure, Rachael Ray is super famous, and everyone loves Paula Deen and Bobby Flay and their Food Network cohorts- but aren’t we a little overwhelmed with TV chefs? For me, I cook not because Giada or Rocco tells me to, but because I like it. I like making a meal out disparate ingredients. I like the process of looking in my pantry and figuring out how I can make dinner. And of course, I like eating. Maybe it’s because I’m a writer (and a writing teacher). But my motivation for cooking isn’t external.

So why the hell am I writing a food blog? Well, you can’t expect me to have the answers to everything.

Sorry about the weirdly contemplative/introspective post. There’ll be food next time- promise!

Leigh

PS: Want to catch up on some vintage Julia Child? PBS has tons of episodes online! Enjoy!

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