Bill's magnifique Cheese Soufflé
+ dealing with light FOMO.
Two of my best friends from The Julia Child Challenge are together this weekend. Elena is visiting Bill in Chicago, and as you can imagine, they've been cooking nonstop, as well as sharing photos and making me want to buy a last-minute ticket to the windy city nonstop.
I've never been to Chicago. But if there’s one must-go place to visit in Chicago, it has to be Bill's. I said FOMO, but now I think it's more like jealousy (but the good kind). Do you hear me, Elena?
First, because and I can't stress this enough he's the classiest man alive. But also because being around Bill is comfortable, soothing, delicious. He makes you feel regal. His gentleness is always perfectly combined with the sharpness of his comments if they are due (especially if we are talking food). You never stop learning when you're around Bill. Fashion, gastronomy, traveling, art, wine, books, love, you name it. And his food is SUPERBE. Ohh, his food!
Dorie Greenspan, one of our judges, wrote that Bill should have been French. That was the exact thing that crossed my mind when I saw Bill speak, for the first time, about his work, which turned out to be his passion: "This guy should have been French". Wait, are we sure Bill is not French?
And talking about Bill's Frenchness matters so much to me because, on that very day we met in Julia's kitchen, Bill—without even realizing it—introduced me to France. He introduced me to this French dream I'm about to live.
He cooked us his Oysters Escargot (my favorite dish during the whole competition!), and I was awestruck. Then he made Duck, French salads and their perfect Vinaigrettes, velvety Soups, his seductive Bœuf Bourguignon, and among so many other showstoppers, a Cheese Soufflé.
Bill's cheese soufflé is A PERFECT cheese soufflé (the same I'll be baking tonight to try and cure this incurable desire to be around my friends). Then he pours over a luscious sauce Mornay, dripping with cheese savoriness, as if he could improve something already flawless. Because of Bill, I pictured what France could be.
And I don't think I've ever shared this with anyone, but before The Julia Child Challenge, I had never had authentic French food before. I've had Omelettes, Crêpes, and a Clafoutis here and there—all that I prepared on my own—trying to figure out the recipes written in English . But never a bona fide meal prepared by someone with that French touch and expertise there are unique to francophiles (or the actual French). We don't serve Coq au Vin in the Amazon.
I fell in love with Bill and the direction his cooking wisdom was guiding me. During the show, I rooted for him. We stayed together until the finale. We helped each other in any way we could. We cried, we laughed, and we planned future endeavors. We hugged tight a million times. And ultimately, I also learned that my wonderful, incomparably kind friend Bill was also rooting for me.
Thank you, Bill. Je t’aime.
Bill, surprising no one, was kind enough to share his magnifique soufflé recipe with me. My friend Priscila transformed them into these beautiful cards, and I posted them on Instagram some time ago. But even better, Bill and I collaborated in an IG live where he told me ALL the secrets to his perfect dish. You can watch it here.
Please scroll down to a printable version of the recipe.
Bill Borman's Perfect Soufflé & Sauce Mornay
Since we're in the mood for French cooking, here's a video of Chef Antonia, the wonderful host of The Julia Child Challenge, also teaching us the secrets of this quintessential French dish. It's so fun to watch!
Oh! I also feel the urge to suggest you visit Bill's online store and his impeccable collection of French cookware. The Piggy Kitchen is Bill's and his lovely husband Richard's offering of curated vintage tabletop, beautiful cookware, and French-inspired pantry items is an unapologetic celebration of all that a life of gathering and cooking has to offer. I know you're going to fall in love just like I did.
You can also find more recipes from Bill is his website above mentioned. His favorite Lemon Tart, or a Savory Apple Tart… Hmmm….
Bon appétit!
Jaine you’re making me feel a melted butter moment. Richard and I can’t wait to see you in Paris! 😘😘😘
There were many beautiful people on the julia Challenge show. I hope for everyone’s success. Can’t wait to see you Jainé in France all that your about to learn and all the great other people you will meet and introduce us all to. ❤️