Julia Child Recommended This Nonstick Frying Pan 35 Years Ago, and It’s the BestI’ve Ever Tried
In the world of culinary art, few names are as revered as Julia Child. With her approachable cooking style and infectious enthusiasm, she became a household name and an icon in American kitchens. But what many don’t realize is that Julia Child was also ahead of her time in terms of her equipment recommendations. One such recommendation was a nonstick frying pan that has stood the test of time. Even 35 years later, this pan remains unparalleled in quality and performance.
The nonstick frying pan recommended by Julia Child was not just any frying pan. It featured a revolutionary coating that promised a truly non-stick surface, which was quite innovative at the time. This pan allowed home cooks to fry eggs, flip pancakes, and sear meats without worrying about stickiness or the need for an excessive amount of butter or oil.
For years, I’ve been on a personal quest to find the perfect nonstick frying pan and have tried countless brands and models. However, it wasn’t until I came across the very pan recommended by Julia Child decades ago that I realized what I’d been missing.
The frying pan’s build quality is impressive, with a sturdy handle that feels secure even when flipping food with a bit of heft. The weight is balanced: heavy enough to retain heat evenly yet light enough to maneuver on the stove easily.
The true test of any nonstick frying pan is how it holds up over time, especially when it comes to its nonstick qualities. With regular use—and following proper care instructions—this frying pan’s coating has remained intact and as nonstick as the day I bought it. Whether I’m cooking breakfast at high heat or gently simmering a sauce over low heat, nothing sticks to this pan.
In practical terms, this translates into healthier cooking with less oil needed and an easier cleanup process. Because food releases easily without sticking, washing the pan typically only requires some hot water and a soft sponge.
But perhaps what makes this nonstick frying pan truly stand out is how well it honors Julia Child’s philosophy that good tools are prerequisite to good cooking. By recommending kitchenware that lasts and performs exceptionally well, Julia Child wasn’t just teaching us how to cook; she was teaching us how to enjoy cooking more fully. Her legacy lives on with every use of this enduring kitchen staple—a reminder that sometimes the best things in life really do stand the test of time.
Thirty-five years ago, Julia Child shared her wisdom by recommending a kitchen tool that remains unmatched till today. Not only did she leave an indelible mark on food television and cookbooks but also on our very own kitchens where her influence continues through some incredible cookware—most notably for me, this incredibly resilient nonstick frying pan.