The set design and decor at the Marriott Marquis for this year’s annual James Beard Foundation awards was inspired by Julia Child’s home.
With this year’s James Beard Foundation awards—honoring the best in the food and restaurant industry—billed as a tribute to Julia Child, the event’s set designers looked no farther than Child’s kitchen for inspiration for the set design and decor at the Marriott Marquis.
Inspired by and dedicated to Julia Child, the James Beard Foundation’s annual awards at the Marriott Marquisfeatured a stage designed by Overland Entertainment’s Paula Longendyke.
Set designer Paula Longendyke of Overland Entertainment went to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History’s permanent exhibit of Child’s kitchen, and worked closely with the curator to add detailed touches to the stage. Decor
included turquoise green cabinets, walls hung with pots and pans, posters of cats (a favorite of Child’s), and shelves lined with cookbooks all similar to those in Child’s original kitchen. Color photographs of Child with Jacques Pépin (who received the evening’s lifetime achievement award), James Beard, and other chefs highlighted the night’s tribute.
The event's M.C. was friend-of-Julia and Good Morning America coanchor Charles Gibson.
