by Nina Livingstone | Edible Boston online
Photo credits: Seacia Pavao/Max
Local actress Donna Ognibene worked on the set of both seasons of “Julia” and found herself privy to Christine Tobin’s dishes, as well as sharing her own cookies with the cast and crew.
“Our eyes enjoyed a feast in every scene,” says Ognibene. “Christine would hurry in with the most amazing dishes and fix them just right. She would set aside things for us to take home—picture-perfect desserts. She has a remarkable gift and talent and remains so poised with so much pressure that comes with the food part of the show.”
Ognibene’s role was as stand-in for Bebe Neuwirth, who played Julia Child’s good friend Avis.
“Bebe is a true legend, so to be her stand-in was at first very intimidating. As a stand-in it is important to capture as much as you can so you can assist the crew as they set up lighting, stage dressings, camera angles and more,” Ognibene explains.
There were some intimate moments as well. “Sarah Lancashire [who plays Julia] came over to me in the ‘kitchen’ (my favorite part of the set) and put her hands on my shoulders and said some very complimentary things,” says Ognibene. “She thanked me for my work, and then gave me the warmest Julia hug that I will never forget.
“It was a thrill to talk about everyday life with Bebe—New York City, and what kind of tea she likes. She came up to me on the last day of shooting the second season and thanked me so sweetly for ‘making her job easier.’ She handed me a beautiful gift and a hand-written card. David Hyde Pierce also gave all of us a hand-written card thanking us for ‘standing in and standing up for the cast.’ He also casually introduced me to Isabella Rossellini. He said, ‘Donna—you know Isabella, right?’ to which I took a breath and said, ‘Of course!’ I got to stand in for Isabella for a day as well. I shared my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe with the cast and crew and got to hear David raving about my cookies. I could go on and on … so many moments.”
This story appeared as an Online Exclusive in Edible Boston’s food blog in late November 2023.
Group shot of cast and crew from “Julia.”
