Boston chef Lydia Shire on cooking for Julia Child Chef Lydia Shire is a major force in Boston's culinary scene. Born and raised in the suburb of Brookline, her artist father loved to cook, and she'd help out in the kitchen. She went to cooking school, but may have learned the most from amazing mentors that include Julia Child and Wolfgang Puck. She returned the favor by mentoring a new generation of top Boston cooking talent, many of whom worked in the six Boston restaurants she's opened over the years.