Virginia Willis
Georgia-born French-trained Chef Virginia Willis has made chocolate chip cookies with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, foraged for berries in the Alaskan wilderness, harvested capers in the shadow of a smoldering volcano in Sicily, and hunted for truffles in France. She is talent and chef-instructor for the digital streaming platform Food Network Kitchen; her segments feature authentic and innovative Southern cooking. She specializes in chef-inspired recipes for home cooks.
She was the celebrity chef at the Mansion at Churchill Downs for the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby. As one of the more well known female Southern chefs, Virginia has spoken at SXSW, cooked for the James Beard Foundation, and beguiled celebrities such as Jane Fonda, Morgan Freeman, Julie Chrisley, and Bill Clinton with her cooking — but it all started in her grandmother’s country kitchen.
Golden Fruit and Nut Cake (Don’t Call it Fruitcake!)
The word fruitcake immediately conjures images of boozy brown bricks studded with bizarre colored unidentifiable bits of fruit. I am not certain how fruitcake became
Braised Flank Steak with Peppers and Onions
Cool-weather and the current full-time, heightened need for comfort food make me think of braised meats. I love beef stews, braised short ribs, and pot
Covid Thanksgiving and Gratitude
Lordy day, 2020 has been a lot to manage and take in. And, here we are at the holidays. There’s an active call from the
Lighten Up, Y’all! Buffalo Chicken Dip
Football Saturdays can feel like 100 yards of healthy eating pitfalls. Seriously, who wants to eat carrot sticks and celery spears with hummus when everyone
How to Make Homemade Caramel Sauce and Apple Dip
Apples dipped in caramel are one of life’s sweetest treats. It’s simple, nostalgic, and tasty, too. Knowing how to make caramel is a key kitchen
Easy Dark Chocolate Bark
Packed with dried fruit and nuts, dark chocolate bark is full of flavor and fun! Making this bark – simply a sheet of rich,