A food blogger who inspired the 2009 film Julie & Julia has died at the age of 49.
Julie Powell became an internet sensation after setting herself a challenge to make every recipe in Julia Child’s book, Mastering The Art of French Cooking.
Her challenge led to a book deal and a blockbuster movie starring Amy Adams and Meryl Streep.
Powell died of cardiac arrest at her home in upstate New York – and friends have described her as a “brilliant writer and a daring, original person”.
Her editor Judy Clain said: “We are sending our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved Julie, whether personally or through the deep connections she forged with readers of her memoirs.”