FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2026
Touring Exhibition Explores the Life of an American Culinary Pioneer
Julia Child: A Recipe for Life to Open at Arizona Science Center
PHOENIX, AZ - Arizona Science Center will host the traveling exhibition Julia Child: A Recipe for Life, created and toured by Flying Fish from June 20 - September 20, 2026. The exhibition explores the key ingredients in Julia Child’s personal journey, which became part of America's culinary revolution, through a series of immersive experiences. Julia’s insatiable curiosity and tenacious spirit drove her to endlessly try, test, and teach how to make delicious food. Learning to cook empowered Julia, and she empowered others, profoundly transforming American cuisine and food culture in the process.
“Julia Child: A Recipe for Life is more than an exhibition about cooking—it is a story about science, experimentation, and evidence-based learning,” said Tammy Stewart, Hazel A. Hare President & CEO of the Arizona Science Center. “Julia Child approached cooking much like a scientist approaches research, relying on scientific precision to make recipes reliable for a broad audience. Her passion and curiosity defined an era of cooking, and we’re proud to tell her story while highlighting her scientific contributions.”
Pivotal, inspiring moments in Julia’s life are highlighted alongside the supportive network of family and friends who contributed to her career, offering a comprehensive view beyond her renowned status as a television personality and author.
“The Foundation, which Julia created to carry on her contributions, marvels at how Julia's example still inspires individuals to learn to cook and pursue their dreams as well as make our food more delicious and sustainable. As one of the most comprehensive portraits of Julia’s story and legacy, Julia Child: A Recipe for Life is not to be missed,” said Todd Schulkin, Executive Director of the Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts.
Guests will experience interactive spaces like The French Chef television studio, where they can operate a vintage video camera, mix “ingredients”, and feel like part of the show. Photographs by Julia’s husband, Paul Child, are also included, along with her personal correspondence and favorite kitchen tools.
“Our mission was to celebrate Julia Child’s profound impact on American culture and offer an immersive and enlightening visitor experience. Together with the Napa Valley Museum, we’ve crafted a journey that pays tribute to Julia’s culinary prowess and honors her tenacity and unwavering spirit,” said Jay Brown, Principal & Managing Director of Flying Fish.
Julia Child: A Recipe for Life is a traveling exhibition produced and toured internationally by Flying Fish, in collaboration with the Napa Valley Museum, under rights granted by The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts and The Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, and generously sponsored by the Kuo Family Fund. The exhibition is generously supported by Bashas' Family of Stores locally.
“When we first presented a Julia Child exhibition at our Museum, we were surprised at her cross-generational appeal. So many visitors feel a personal connection to Julia, often because they watched her shows or cooked with her recipes alongside a beloved mother, grandmother, or partner. Couples were moved by the stories of her life with Paul, women were inspired by her accomplishments as a trailblazer, and kids were delighted by videos of her sillier moments. There truly is something for everyone in this exhibition," said Laura Rafaty, Executive Director of Napa Valley Museum.
Julia Child: A Recipe for Life opens Saturday June 20, with an exclusive Member preview from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The exhibition runs through Sunday, September 20, 2026 and is included FREE with Arizona Science Center admission. Children under 3 always receive FREE entry. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit AzScience.org
For media inquiries about Arizona Science Center please contact Kristina Celik at celikk@azscience.org.
To view photos from the exhibition, click here.
For media inquiries about Flying Fish, please contact marketing@flyingfishexhibits.com.
About Arizona Science Center
Located in downtown Phoenix, Arizona Science Center is home to the Dorrance DOME—one of the most advanced digital domes in the world—where immersive astronomy shows, live performances, and community events bring art, science, and culture together beneath a dazzling 60-foot display.
Beyond the Dorrance DOME, the Science Center features more than 300 hands-on exhibits, a five-story giant-screen theater, live demonstrations, traveling exhibitions, and dynamic STEM programs for all ages. Offerings include Science on Wheels, CAMP INNOVATION, teen initiatives, professional development workshops, and Adults’ Night Out: Science With A TWIST. Whether onsite or at your location, the Center delivers unforgettable, hands-on STEM learning experiences. To learn more or reserve tickets, visit azscience.org or call 602.716.2000. Follow us on Instagram, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
About Flying Fish
At Flying Fish, we believe exhibitions can do more. For over twelve years, we’ve partnered with leading museums and science centers to create and tour extraordinary exhibitions. More than 13 million visitors worldwide have experienced our exhibitions, exploring science, history, culture, and beyond. Our mission is to make exceptional, authentic content accessible to communities everywhere while generating new and sustainable revenue for our partners. Whether developing original concepts or adapting existing collections for international audiences, we’re more than a service provider—we’re a creative partner and industry ally, dedicated to expanding our clients’ mission, reach, and impact. For Museums. By Museums. flyingfishexhibits.com
About Napa Valley Museum
For over 50 years, the Napa Valley Museum has offered diverse cultural experiences of art, nature, and history through exhibitions, educational programs, and creative activities to engage Museum visitors of all ages, languages, and interests. With two locations: Napa Valley Museum Yountville and Napa Valley Museum of Art & Culture (“the MAC” opening in 2025), plus its NVM On Tour division, the Museum has emerged as a leading incubator of fun and approachable world premiere exhibitions like France is a Feast, Dangerous Games, and Tiki Dreams. It also stewards a permanent collection of art, artifacts and objects evidencing the history, culture and geology of the region. With hands-on participatory exhibitions and deep explorations of iconic artists from Picasso to Walt Disney, plus showcases of major regional artists, cultural movements, and historical treasures, the Napa Valley Museum values knowledge, promotes understanding, and celebrates all forms of creative expression. napavalleymuseum.org
About The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts
The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts was created by Julia in 1995 and became operational in 2004. Its mission is to honor and further Julia’s legacy, which centers on the importance of understanding where food comes from, what makes for good food, and the value of cooking. juliachildfoundation.org
About Schlesinger Library
Schlesinger Library is the leading center for scholarship on the history of women in the United States. As a part of Harvard Radcliffe Institute, they are devoted to catalyzing new research and to sharing it broadly with scholars and an engaged public. radcliffe.harvard.edu/schlesinger-library
About the Kuo Family Fund
The Kuo family’s ancestry can be traced back to the Tang dynasty’s famed military general Kuo Tzu-i (697-781). The Kuo Family Fund is established in honor of the Kuo family's legacy and its support for programs driving positive community impact. The Kuo Family Fund makes grants to support community and cultural programs, liberal arts education scholarships, and local non-profit wellness initiatives in the San Francisco Bay Area.