In 2000, I was working nights in the pastry department at San Ysidro Ranch in Monticeto, California, when Julia Child came in to have dinner. The kitchen was electric. She was friends with our Executive Chef, Jamie West. Julia ordered a lemon tart for dessert so I excitedly prepared a perfect plate for her. Then I made a big mistake. I let the Sous Chef whisk it away and deliver it to my hero, Julia Child, a food media pioneer. We lost her 3 1/2 years later. I’ve always regretted missing the chance to meet her and say hello. But I did hear that she loved my lemon tart. That wonderful night was a life-changing event for me.