Who is Simone Beck Fischbacher from My Life in France and what is their importance?

Simone Beck Fischbacher, also known as Simca, was Julia's co-author for Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Simca was a Gourmette member. She was in her early forties when Julia met her, and she had blond hair and milky skin. She had been born into an aristocratic family in Normandy, taken care of by English nannies, and she loved food. Like Julia, she studied at Cordon Bleu and enjoyed experimenting with recipes. Simca was working with Louisette Bertholle on a French cookbook for Americans, which they eventually asked Julia to be a part of. The three also formed a cooking school in Paris.