The Day I Nearly Killed Julia Child

PBS Food asks Chef Dean Fearing, chef and partner of Fearing's Restaurant, about his time with Julia Child on the show, "In Julia's Kitchen with Master Chefs." In the midst of the Julia Child 100th Birthday Celebration, Fearing pays tribute to her legacy.

What was it like working with Julia Child? For somebody I didnt think I would learn so much from, I really did learn a lot. The best thing I learned is everything in moderation and eat whole foods. I look back on our time together as some of the most inspiring times of my life, mainly when we were in deep discussion over a BBQ Sandwich and Pearl beer at Sonny Bryans in Dallas. What do you believe is Julia Childs lasting legacy? She really was a culinary leader. When you were with her, you were always in an aura of food discussions. We spent more time together just talking food and nothing else. What was the impact of appearing on In Julias Kitchen with Master Chefs? It was fantastic until one day I almost killed her. We were setting up the next scene for a show and she was noodling around looking at my ingredients when she stuck her finger in the Tabasco, tasted it and suddenly started choking. She couldnt catch her breath and everyone started running towards her including her producer, who jumped over the table. We sat her down in a chair and all I could think about was I have just killed the Grande Dame of Cuisine and will probably be banned from cooking. She suddenly caught her breath, looked at me and said Whoooo that was spicy!

Dean Fearing is chef and partner of Fearings Restaurant. Located in the Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Fearing's boasts seven distinct dining venues. Fearing's acclaimed farm-to-market seasonal menu offers guests a new generation of highly-flavorful dishes. Dean Fearing was winner of the James Beard Foundation Restaurant Award for Best Chef in the Southwest.