As part of Maine Restaurant Week (March 1-10, 2010), at the Holiday Inn in Portland, I attended a lecture given by Judith Jones, the legendary Alfred A. Knopf editor who worked with Julia Child, James Beard, Jacques Pepin, Nina Simonds, and many more writers. Jones was the featured speaker for the Portland Museum of Art’s 2010 Bernard Osher Lecture. She’s also the author of numerous books including The Tenth Muse: My Life in Food, and her most recent, The Pleasures of Cooking for One.

Wow! What an amazing and inspiring woman. Jones is a terrific storyteller, and she told us some great tales about Julia Child and James Beard (one in particular had the audience in stitches as she recounted how, during a visit with Child in France, Child showed her how to remove a tendon from a goose which involved snapping off the foot at the ankle, hooking her finger around the tendon, putting the goose on the floor, holding it down with a broomstick handle with one hand, then with the other she tugged, and with one strong pull yanked the whole thing out!).

Some of the things I took away from her lecture were:

Don’t be afraid to try new things.

Stick with your convictions even if they’re not popular with your colleagues or friends.

How much she loves garlic.

It’s important to know how much to eat and when you’re full, stop. Even if there’s food left on your plate.

She’s very concerned about obesity, our food sources in America, and the American lifestyle of eating quick, fast food meals.

Food should be respected and savored.

Cooking keeps your brain working—doing two or three things at once keeps your noggin active.

When cooking for one use smaller pans!

After the lecture Jones signed her books at the Portland Museum of Art. She was kind enough to let me sit by her while she signed my book and had a photo taken of us (thanks, Marj and Judith!). If you ever get the chance to attend a lecture or book signing by this inspiring lady, all I can say is, “go!”

For more, check out Keith Shortall’s interview with Jones for Maine Public Radio. Or Judith Jones’ website.