The Bizz

After attending this week’s New York City Premiere of Julie & Julia, I couldn’t wait to dish about this new foodie, chick-flick. I’m still salivating and it’s not from recipes.



Julie & Julia is a love story about two women living a half century apart. Julia Child, an American in France who couldn’t boil an egg and Julie Powell a secretary in Queens who never even ate one. Powell commits to making all 524 recipes from Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking in one year’s time. The result is an aspiring memoirist’s dream; writer-director-producer, Nora Ephron, melds the lives of these two women.




My evening started on the red carpet of the Ziegfeld Theatre chatting with Deborah Rush, Julia Child’s best friend Avis in the film. When I asked Rush how her real life story paralleled the movie, she said her relationship with Streep, similar to Julia and Avis, goes back a very long time. She also admitted that like Avis, she can mix up a good martini.

Aside from the cast, other charaters at the Premiere included: Martha Stewart, Rachel Ray, Anthony Bourdain, Bob Balaban, Patricia Clarkson, The Zagats, Frances Sternhagen, Steve Buscemi, Gayle King, Yoko Ono, Barbara Walters and Jaslene Gonzalez.

Although I’ve attended comedy premieres in the past, I still find myself giddily uncomfortable. A sudden outburst from my belly or an uncontrollable snort always pops up unexpectedly, traveling through the aisles. Laughter is a compliment but mine always seems to echo more at a premiere than when I’m at my neighborhood Lowe’s.

The after-party at the Metropolitan Club was where I really had the chance to let loose. Although there was plenty of space for everyone to eat and drink comfortably, I decided that my body should rest directly in front of the seat marked “Reserved for Chris Messina” who plays Eric Powell, Julie’s husband in the film. Can we say that I was a bit exhausted after being up since 6:00 a.m. with my one-year-old daughter and spending two and a half hours standing on the red carpet and another two watching the film? Nevertheless, a lovely woman with a growing little belly (which I later discovered is Messina’s newest addition in the fall) embraced me in child chatter and saved me from embarrassment as Chris politely excused himself to sit down. The next encounter was with Julie Powell who looked happy and mesmerized by the attention. Julie met Amy Adams less than two weeks ago. When I asked how she felt about Amy playing her, she was surprised because “Amy is so little.” Given 524 recipes in 365 days, Julie makes a smart point.




I did what I had been waiting to do all night. I ran to the food stations and ate and ate and ate. Crumbs Bake Shop, is like the devil riding on my hips and thighs (with utmost respect). I didn’t devour one cupcake, I devoured two, Peanut Butter and Oreo, respectively. At the end of the day, it’s all about the Butter. Bon Appetite.

- Lori Vadala Bizzoco