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Julia Child and Paul Child in the OSS: Spying and Cooking in World War II

Nathaniel Hawthorne

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Julia Child is best known as the beloved chef who brought French cuisine to American kitchens. But before she was a culinary icon, she was a spy for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS),the forerunner to the CIA.

A Covert Affair: Julia Child and Paul Child in the OSS

by Jennet Conant

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2874 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	417 pages

Julia Child was born in Pasadena, California, in 1912. She was a tall, athletic woman with a passion for cooking. In 1942, she joined the OSS and was assigned to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Her mission was to help develop a shark repellent for the Navy.

Julia Child's work on the shark repellent was not particularly successful. But she did meet her future husband, Paul Child, while she was in Ceylon. Paul Child was also an OSS agent, and he was assigned to develop a way to use food as a weapon.

After the war, Julia and Paul Child moved to Paris. Julia Child began her cooking career by taking classes at the Cordon Bleu cooking school. She also wrote a cookbook, "Mastering the Art of French Cooking," which became a bestseller.

Julia Child's story is a fascinating one. She was a pioneer in both the culinary world and the world of espionage. Her story is a testament to the power of women and the importance of following your dreams.

Julia Child's OSS Career

Julia Child's OSS career began in 1942, when she was recruited by the agency's head, William J. Donovan. Donovan was impressed by Julia Child's intelligence and her ability to speak French. He assigned her to the Research and Development branch of the OSS, where she worked on a variety of projects, including developing a shark repellent and a way to use food as a weapon.

Julia Child's work on the shark repellent was not particularly successful. But she did develop a recipe for a peanut butter spread that was used by the OSS as a survival food. She also helped to develop a way to use food as a weapon by creating a recipe for a poisoned chocolate bar.

In 1944, Julia Child was assigned to Ceylon. Her mission was to help develop a way to protect Allied ships from shark attacks. She worked with a team of scientists to develop a shark repellent that was eventually used by the Navy.

Julia Child's work in the OSS was important in helping the Allies win World War II. She was a pioneer in the field of espionage, and her work helped to save lives.

Julia Child's Cooking Career

After the war, Julia Child moved to Paris with her husband, Paul Child. She began her cooking career by taking classes at the Cordon Bleu cooking school. She also wrote a cookbook, "Mastering the Art of French Cooking," which became a bestseller.

Julia Child's cooking career was a huge success. She was a gifted chef and a talented teacher. She helped to bring French cuisine to American kitchens, and she inspired a generation of home cooks.

Julia Child was a pioneer in both the culinary world and the world of espionage. Her story is a testament to the power of women and the importance of following your dreams.

Julia Child was a remarkable woman who made significant contributions to both the culinary world and the world of espionage. She was a pioneer in both fields, and her work helped to change the world.

Julia Child's story is a fascinating one that is sure to inspire you. It is a story about following your dreams, overcoming challenges, and making a difference in the world.

If you are interested in learning more about Julia Child, I recommend reading her autobiography, "My Life in France." You can also visit the Julia Child Museum in Washington, D.C.

A Covert Affair: Julia Child and Paul Child in the OSS

by Jennet Conant

4 out of 5