Making Julia Child’s 30-Minute Ham Dinner is Literally Impossible 

For everyone claiming that Julia Child was only able to do this because of editing, assistance, pre-prepping everything . . . The French Chef didn't have a budget for rehearsals, and was filmed "live-to-tape" like many TV shows of the day, meaning everything was filmed in one go, with no editing. The only cuts are from one camera to another as they go from wider shots to show her moving around the kitchen to close shots showing her hands as she did something or a dish as it cooked. This is why we have so many lovely "teachable moments" (bloopers) where Child had to fix things on the fly ~ they could not edit them out. In this particular show, she has her ingredients out, but not necessarily prepped. She cuts and washes the leeks while we watch. She gets the peas from the fridge. She pushes everything through the food mill (after it comes apart unexpectedly and she has to re-assemble it). Other than setting the ingredients on the counter, she does everything on camera in the allotted time. Her real advantage was just knowing the recipes and being very, very practiced overall.

nothing like a 30 minute recipe that uses 6 pans and multiple bowls and requires considerable amount of prep work... ah, Julia. you are of a different kind than us mere mortals. (and congrats on the apron!)

I almost don't care how this turns out. It's fun to watch.

Julia's version seems to reveal a certain amount of support behind the scenes that you don't have, except for bowl delivery. There is a great deal of preparation that has already been completed.

The tribute to Scott really brings a tear to my eye this early morning. Thank you for continuing to memorialize that sweet, pure soul.

“30 minute” dish followed by an hour of cleaning up 😂 Thanks for all the work!

I already know how this is going to go, but I clicked immediately all the same 😂

Haha! I was getting anxiety about what a mess and how many dishes for a 30 min meal you have an hour of clean up! RIP Scott! Love the apron ❤

As soon as I saw that snail with the RIP, I laughed out loud. Poor guy! I remember him so fondly. Such a nice tribute to include him on your apron.

This was the most chaotic episode yet but I loved it! Definitely good laughs!

I'm glad to see Scott is getting the memorial he deserves. RIP SCOTT! 😅 You're the best, Jamie.

I love that you're paying tribute to Scott on your apron. Much too rich for my blood, but I wish you the best of success with your merch drop.

I wish it was in my budget to buy an apron and support your channel. I’ve been subscribed for a very long time and look forward to every upload. Plus, my 75yo mother says you’re “a cutie patotie” lol

Man, Jamie you're getting pretty damn good at this cooking thing. I agree, the time is a little suspect. Maybe 45 min. Those aprons look so sick too.

The other day when I was cooking and needed a bowl, I looked up at the ceiling, clapped and said "bowl me". I actually expected a bowl to start coming down from a magic portal and was surprised that it didn't work 🙃

RU-vid recently recommended your channel to me and I am so glad! I have been devouring your content. Thank you for all you do!

"2, 1, 30. Mission failed. Alright let's move on." Seems like a great way to approach these challenges!

My fave bit (and I couldn't stop laughing WITH you) was the stabbing of the pea mixture. Man on a mission!

Jamie, you are the reason my sisters and I watch RU-vid on Sundays. 😄

2:42 RIP scott you will always be missed😢😢😢😢😢😢

Julia did not have to fetch her own cookware or "catch" her own bowls, nor did she have to set up her camera shots, so anything close to her timing means you've really excelled. You're doing the work of an entire studio team that made her look good. Also, the recipe DID say "about" half an hour. Like I said, you really did excel. 😊

So happy Scott has a forever home on the apron! 😂🩵

15:38 Whoa thats melting. Jamie after pouring cherries he flambed into ice cream 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

"That tasted exactly how it looks." 😂

Scott on the apron is perfection, even if the tomatoes weren't! That was hilarious

I was so interested to see if there was any chance that you could do this in 30 minutes (because I was shocked that the overwhelming consensus in the comments is you can't) that i went and actually watched Julia's episode for this and I'm now even more sure than I was before it's 100% doable in that time with very little prep. There's no way you could do it following a recipe but her preface is that this is a meal you've made many times before and can pull out of your pocket for a fast semi-impressive dinner for company and as that no problem. Without any faffing about as a meal you could just zone out and cook knowing exactly what you need, where it was in your kitchen and when you need it no problem. Nothing in this hard or time consuming it's just multitasking, process and the confidence to walk away from a hot pan to do something else knowing you'll be back to it in time to not ruin anything .

The chaos is the best part! You just made my day man!😊😊😊😊😊😂😂😂😂😂😂

I’m in the UK I adore your videos, commitment, talent, and the fact u never give up! I learn a lot. Always wait for Sundays ❤ You’ve come a long way man Never stop doing this x

This menu takes me back to my childhood in the 1960s. My mom used the French Chef cookbook and came up with some real doozies. It definitely beat the Chef Boy R Dee that most kids were eating.

I literally laughed so hard at the addition of Scott to the apron that I was literally cackling alone on my couch 😂🤣😂🤣😂 gone but not forgotten 🤣😂😂🤣

I don't think anyone including Julia could prepare all of that in 30 minutes. I do believe she probably had some magic going on behind the scenes. My aunt was one of the fastest cooks I ever met, and she would have been hard pressed to do all of that in under an hour, I think you did remarkably well.

The apron is amazing. Love the rip Scott 🐌 touch

You could've put "30 minute may-ham" in the thumbnail XD

Awwww I love Scott on the apron!!! That's the sweetest thing ever ❤

I love that as far as you've come with your cooking there are still some things you haven't mastered. If you ever figure out the food mill it's all over.

I trust you checked the watercress for any of poor Scott's relatives.

I have a sneaking suspicion that neither Jamie nor his audience is taking into consideration: 1. Julia had assistants to do the scutwork. They were almost never seen. 2. Julia had pre-prepped most of the spices, etc. 3. Julia practiced cooking the recipes before filming. 4. The skillful editing isn't noticed. I might be wrong, but I don't think so.

Rip Scott! Gone but never forgotten!!!!

Bravo! This is getting to the point where you can take it on the road and perform live . . .

Awwweeee Scott the snail on the apron is epic!!!! Rip Scott ❤

My cat and I were cheering for you when you finished! 🎉 Way to go Jamie!

Bro, I spend the whole day hanging from your ceiling with a bunch of metal bolws in hand just waiting for you to request me to "bowl" you. You don't pay me enough, I demand a raise.

I'm going to order the apron asap, I wear aprons every day and you don't know how much I appreciate that it crosses in the back instead of looping around the neck, the cross back ones are so much more comfortable for wearing long periods of time

I don’t cook but I can watch a man this beautiful and this dry charismatic to do literally anything

Love that you've memorialized Scott on the apron! Got one today. The moment for me today was at 7:51, lol!! Not only done, but peas effing hot as well!

30 Minutes of Ham Hell???🤔🍖🔥 Sign Us Up!!😂❤️🤣 DRUNKEN Cherries Jubilee?🥴🍒🤭

Love these challanges jamie! Youre the best! Hope you make it🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

Jamie: "I'm going to stay faithful to the instructions. Unlike Julia, I'm not even going to do the prep work without the clock running, just to keep this as realistic as possible for you all." also Jamie: "bowl me!" 😆

Someday it might be interesting to do a revisit of these and see if you can do it in 30 the second time. We already know from Anti-Chefs past that take 2 usually goes better.

This is the only channel where I feel like I'm on the cooking journey with him.

With all that washing up to do it must be called "30 minutes to cook 2hrs to clean up" Also yes. Those tomatos are much bigger than we are used to in Europe

30 minute cook off challenges are madness

Ya gotta love when chefs leave out the prep time in their timed meal prep.

I love your commitment to the bowl gnome bit even under a time constraint.

Love this as expected! Ordered the apron too! We think you're awesome and look forward to every episode.

I love the nervous laugh around minute 10 haha

Finally!! I have been wanting you to offer an Antichef apron for a couple of years. I'm ordering!

Happy Sunday everyone

I discovered you 3 days ago and I’ve been binge watching as many as I possibly can since then… maybe 25-30. I doubt I’ll ever attempt one of Julia’s complex recipes since I have a hard enough time making simple things, but I love watching you work your way through all the issues that come up. Please keep doing what you do…don’t change, don’t stop…thank you for being authentic and hilarious. 👏💜

Maybe the next apron can have your phrases “I’m not driving” or “order up”. I’d love to see silver Fox make an appearance as well. Ideas for your next merch drop.

🎉 JAMIE AND JULIA. I saw her make this meal on her show. Love it ❤

My favorite video thus far, you are so ding-dang entertaining in that kitchen of yours. Having only very recently discovered your channel I am very disappointed to have missed the apron sale. You have me seriously wanting to cook now. How is it you don’t break a sweat?

These 30 minute dinners make me see Julia as Lucy pulling the football away from the chef. Also, that is Avery small portion of ham for four people.

I am so sorry i missed out on the apron, its perfect! Please make it available again, i promise to buy 2 of them, at least. I love your videos, you cook like i do, and somehow it all comes out OK.

I'm really impressed you did all of that in less than an hour! 😮😮😮

Amazing video as always jamie. And dont worry man im sure youll get it next time. You always persevere🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

Ordered my apron. Can't wait!

Your whole demeanor changed after 30 minutes... As did mine! Lol. I was anxiously watching and once the time passed I could relax. Lol

Literally look forward to every upload. Thanku Jamie

No matter which chef it is, I always add around 20-30 minutes onto the time they say it will take. Even with practice, it usually takes more time simply because there's no sous chef helping me prepare the meal. I will say, everything but the tomatoes looks delicious. I might have to try the main meal this week, but substitute stuffed mushrooms for tomatoes. Not going to mess with the flames, as I like my kitchen too much.

Have been so inspired by these videos. Following this video for guidance, I made the cherries jubilee. They were delicious 🍒. Look forward to seeing many more recipes come to life!

Very, very happy to hear a non-Irish person use "bollocks" in that context 😆

I Love the apron! I love that you included Scott the Snail too! RIP Scott! 🪦🐌

I think the method is in the 30 MINUTES COOK - with 30 minutes preparations BEFORE COOKING. She Lied to you ;) Always a joy, thanks x

This channel brings me so much joy, I love watching this at the end of the day to relax, it makes me smile - i say this wholeheartedly, keep doing what you're doing

What an insane menu! I *maybe* could've gotten it done back in my line cook days, but that's a *huge* maybe. I'd definitely have to do it in a zen-like state, speaking to no one, nevermind trying to make a video about it.

This is *THE* video I've been waiting for all my life. Get her, Jamie!! Unfortunately I have to step out but as soon as my ass hits the couch again it's on!

RIP Scott! I just adore this show. ❤️❤️❤️ 🚲

That ham sound stellar. Definitely stealing the idea of mustard + tomato paste + cream into shallotty stock/wine combo.

Chaotically entertaining, as always.

Your "concentrating" mad face! Omg! Your so funny and fun to watch

I've seen Julia's episode on youtube also, along with similar 30 minute dinners. In general she knocks out a lot of prep, none can be done in 30 minutes with no advance work, most really don't come together in 30 even with. I do like her 'order of battle' reference - that ole WWII influence. (Has that food mill ever worked out?)

Brown ham slice in a pan with oil and butter - Dijon Sauce: @9:46 2T Dijon 1T tomato paste Beat and add a 1/4c cream to start. Add to beef stock and Madeira wine. Add ham back to pan (Something like that) 😅

I love how Scott T. Snail will be forever remembered.

I also felt so much better when the clock ran out! Haha! I would love to know how long it usually takes you to make a Julia Child meal!

Love your show. Please keep it going👏❤️

Ham with mushy peas sounds a lot more british than what I'd expect from Julia

I like the pea and watercress puree. I think it would be good cold as a dip. Add some fresh mint and parmesan cheese. The sauce for the ham looked really good too.

This sounds good.

I’m getting your apron for Christmas from my husband!

Omg merch?! I'm so excited to get it!! :D

Thanks for the videos, I'm working through her two original volumes as well. Though today I made the "Flan" from your Crème Caramel video and it came out perfectly and my grandma was delighted at the result. I really enjoy your method, as honestly, it's much the same as mine, Keep up that vigor!

You may call yourself a Joker but to me you're the Ace in the pack!! That was a valiant effort and I don't think for a second that JC was in the kitchen alone and unaided like you were when she did it! Bravo, sir!!

That ham and gravy looks absolutely mouth watering! 💋🧚🏻‍♀️❤️🇺🇸

I always tell myself “Jamie has posted a new video… I’ll watch him for a couple of minutes…, put him on in the background while I do something productive…”…. But noooo, always glued to the screen 😂 Bravo!

The Scott the snail call back! Come on! That's amazing.

A way to eat your leftover water cress is to take the stems out, put in a saucepan, cover with water, add bacon grease, and salt. Boil until tender. Its a fabulous green! I love land cress better but water cress is easier to find. We in Kentucky call them "creases". Its my favorite green!

So excited to see the new menu tonight! Pulling out my Julia book for dinner tonight

What a weird combination of things. Fab apron! Congrats on your success Jamie!

Geezzz you’ve got them well trained. They now give you bowls BEFORE you even ask for them! 😮