Washingtonians are fussing over what would have been chef Julia Child's 100th birthday. On Saturday, White House executive pastry chef Bill Yosses penned a piece for PBS's "Tributes to Julia" website, recalling the best party he ever attended -- an 80th birthday celebration in 1993 thrown by another Washingtonian, chef Michel Richard. "She had actually turned 80 the year before but no matter, any excuse for a good 'fete,' " Yosses recalled.

On August 15, the date of her actual birthday, chef Ris Lacoste is hosting a benefit dinner for the late chef at her restaurant Ris. The "Good Time" dinner, which costs $250 to attend, will bring together Child's great nephew Alex Prud'homme and other family and fans to raise money to keep Julia Child's kitchen exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History open longer.