Virginia Willis

Virginia Willis (born December 29, 1966) is a James Beard Award-winning cookbook author, chef, and on-air personality who specializes in Southern American cooking.

Early life and education Virginia was born in Augusta, Georgia. As a child, she lived in Alexandria, Louisiana, where she learned about Cajun and Creole cuisine. In middle school her family relocated back to Georgia.

After earning a B.A. from the University of Georgia she attended the L'Académie de Cuisine in Maryland (graduating 1994) and the École de Cuisine LaVarenne in Burgundy, France (Grande Diplome, 1995).

Career Willis apprenticed to Southern food authority Nathalie Dupree, and then worked as the test kitchen director on Dupree's PBS cooking series. She has also worked as an editorial assistant to French cooking authority Anne Willan and as a Kitchen Director for celebrity television hosts Martha Stewart and Bobby Flay.

She has produced and directed television shows as Epicurious (The Discovery Channel), and Home Plate (2003). Currently she produces culinary video through Culinary Media Training and Productions, co-founded with colleague Cynthia Graubart.

Television appearances Willis has appeared on Food Network Kitchen, CBS This Morning, Fox and Friends, Martha Stewart Living, Chopped (2007), Paula's Best Dishes (2008), and Throwdown! with Bobby Flay. She placed second on an episode of Food Network's Chopped (“Bird in the Pan”) that aired on November 27, 2012. She also competed in Alex vs America in 2025.

Awards 2018: “25 Books all Georgians Should Read” for Secrets of the Southern Table; Georgia Center for the Book 2016: James Beard Foundation Award of Excellence 2016: Finalist International Association of Culinary Professionals Best American Cookbook 2009: “25 Books all Georgians Should Read” for Bon Appétit, Y’all; Georgia Center for the Book 2008: Finalist for the International Association of Culinary Professionals Best American Cookbook (Bon Appétit, Y’all