Georgia-born French-trained Chef Virginia Willis has cooked Lapin Normandie with Julia Child in France, prepared lunch for President Clinton, catered a bowling party for Jane Fonda, and harvested capers in the shadow of a smoldering volcano in Sicily -- but it all started in her grandmother’s country kitchen.

She's currently in development with WGBH for a series titled Secrets of the Southern Table to air nationally on public television. As a popular Southern food authority and writer, she is the author of Bon Appétit, Y’all, Basic to Brilliant, Y'all, and Lighten Up, Y'all, among others. Named by the Chicago Tribune as one of "Seven Food Writers You Need to Know,” her fans love her knack for giving classic French dishes a down-home comfort feel and reimagining Southern favorites.

Virginia writes for Southern Living, Eating Well, Fine Cooking, and All-Recipes. She has been featured in Country Living, House Beautiful, and USA Today. Learn more about Virginia and follow her traveling exploits at www.virginiawillis.com