Virginia Willis Title: Contributor, Recipe Developer Education: B.A. in History, University of Georgia, Grande Diplôme, Culinary Arts/Chef Training, La Varenne, Certificate of Culinary Training, L'Academie de Cuisine Location: Atlanta, Georgia Expertise: Southern food and cooking, classic French cuisine, healthy cooking and baking, Author of six books on cooking, including Bon Appétit, Y'all, Frequent live and on-air speaker Experience Georgia-born French-trained chef Virginia Willis has foraged for berries in the Alaskan wilderness, harvested capers in the shadow of a smoldering volcano in Sicily, and executed the food styling for a Superbowl commercial seen by over 160 million people. She is a James Beard award-winning cookbook author and chef for Food Network Kitchen. Beginning in 2019, Virginia lost 65 pounds and has kept it off for over 2 1/2 years. Her health journey has been documented in Eating Well magazine, Allrecipes magazine, AARP, and as a cover story for Woman’s World. Virginia has embraced her new outlook on life and has become a cheerleader for those wanting to make their own life changes. As she says, “If a French-trained Southern chef can do it, you can, too!” Her cookbooks include Fresh Start: Cooking with Virginia - My Real Life Daily Guide to Healthy Eating and Weight Loss; Secrets of the Southern Table; Lighten Up, Y’all; Bon Appétit, Y’all; Basic to Brilliant, Y’all; Okra; and Grits.She is the former TV kitchen director for Martha Stewart, Bobby Flay, and Nathalie Dupree; has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants; and traveled the world producing food stories – from making cheese in California to escargot farming in France. She has appeared on an Alex vs America Beard-winner episode, The Rachel Ray Show, Food Network’s Chopped, CBS This Morning, Fox Family and Friends, Martha Stewart Living, and as a judge on Throwdown with Bobby Flay.Virginia has also been featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post, People Magazine, Eater, and Food52. She has contributed to Eating Well, Garden & Gun, Bon Appétit, and more. The Chicago Tribune praised her as one of “Seven Food Writers You Need to Know.”People love her down-to-earth attitude and approachable spirit. Learn more about Virginia and follow her food, fun, and fitness at www.virginiawillis.com. Education B.A. in History, University of Georgia; Grande Diplôme, Culinary Arts/Chef Training, La Varenne; Certificate of Culinary Training, L'Academie de Cuisine About Allrecipes Home cooks are our heroes; it's as simple as that. Allrecipes, a Dotdash Meredith Brand, is the world’s largest community-driven food site, providing trusted resources to more than 60 million home cooks each month. Every day, cooks from around the world publish doably delicious recipes, while our team of editorial and kitchen professionals cover the world's top food news and trends. Learn more about us and our editorial process.