Joan Cusack was originally nearing a deal to star as Julia Child when the series entered development in 2019, but she exited before filming and was replaced by Sarah Lancashire in March 2020.

Tom Hollander was initially cast in a supporting role but exited the project, and David Hyde Pierce was cast to replace him as Paul Child in September 2020.

Only three days into initial filming of the pilot in March 2020, production was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic; filming of the pilot later resumed in Boston in October 2020.

Filming for the full first season wrapped in September 2021, after the pilot had been picked up to series with an 8-episode order in January 2021.

The character of Alice Naman, played by Brittany Bradford, is a fictionalized version of the real-life producer Ruth Lockwood, and critics noted that making her a Black woman added themes not present in the actual history.

Rachel Bloom joined the cast for the second season, playing Elaine Levitch, a former CBS director hired for The French Chef.

The first season received a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 44 critic reviews, while the second season achieved a 100% approval rating based on 10 critic reviews.