Checking in with... Tia De La Mora:

Recession aside, it’s a high time to open a French cookware store — now that millions of moviegoers are flocking to “Julie & Julia,” the hit film about French chef Julia Child. Sur La Table, the Seattle-based cookware store, opened its latest location at South Coast Plaza last week, and Tia De La Mora, the Costa Mesa store’s manager, has had her hands full. She spoke with the Daily Pilot during a brief, quiet moment Wednesday.

There’s a popular movie about French cooking playing right now, “Julie & Julia.” Has that given you a boost in business?

You know, I did see a few people come in over the weekend and ask about it. I know when I was training at the Newport Beach store, it definitely was driving business.

Do you sell copies of Julia Child’s book?

We do.

Is it a big seller?

Yes.

So tell me what sets French cooking apart from other kinds of cuisine.

I think, obviously, most chefs are trained in French cooking. That’s the basis for culinary schools. So as far as the French cookware, it’s great quality. That’s the No. 1 thing people look for in their cookware. They want something that’s going to last. So it’s something you can pass down to your children. It’s great quality merchandise.

Have you ever been to France?

No, I have not.

To be a staff member at Sur La Table, do you have to speak any French?

No. I have a few staff members who do speak French, but it’s not a requirement.

Do you have cooking demonstrations?

We have demonstrations every Saturday, and starting next Sunday, the 13th, we’ll be having local chefs come in to do small demonstrations.

If you could pick any chef in the world to do a cooking demonstration at your store, who would it be?

Any chef in the world? Living?

Yes, let’s say living.

I’m a big Mario Bertelli fan. I just love watching his show. He’s great when he’s preparing the meals. He makes it really simple. And that’s the most important thing for someone who isn’t a chef — just being able to follow along with the recipes.