Southern with French Accents: A Tasting Event with Chef Virginia Willis

For ages 18 & up

Sample small plates and delightful wines as you stroll around our upstairs mezzanine and Cooking School. The menu has been devised by one of our long-time favorites, Chef Virginia Willis, who will be onsite and happy to chat with you as she personalizes copies of her updated and recently re-released cookbook, Lighten Up, Y'all. You'll enjoy a variety of dishes, all highlighting Central Market products and made with Virginia's signature style.

ABOUT CHEF VIRGINIA WILLIS

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 Super Bowl commercial seen by over 160 million people.

Virginia lost 65 pounds and has kept it off for over 3 years. Her health journey has been documented in Eating Well, as a cover story for Woman’s World, Allrecipes, AARP, as well as the Rachel Ray Show. She has embraced her new outlook on life and has become a cheerleader for those wanting to make their life changes, “If a French-trained Southern chef can do it, you can, too!”

As a result of her health journey, she founded Good and Good for You, a lifestyle brand that shares health and wellness strategies through digital channels, print media, and public speaking. Her column “Good and Good for You” featuring reliable, healthy, and delicious recipes runs bi-weekly in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. In addition, she offers a weekly newsletter “Good and Good for You Living” featuring healthy recipes, best-life living tips, self-care techniques, and ideas and inspiration. It’s the science-backed tools, encouragement, and support to empower folks to live a better life.

Her cookbooks include the revised and updated Bon Appétit, Y’all (UGA Press October 2024); Fresh Start; Secrets of the Southern Table, Lighten Up, 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 Alex vs America, 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.”

• Faux Gras (Vegetarian Lentil & Pecan Pâté)

• Lightened Up P-Cheese

• Mustard-crusted Pork Loin with Herb Pan Sauce

• Biscuit Bar with Jams, Jellies, & Butters

• Green Beans with Tomatoes & Feta

• Gulf Shrimp Jalapeño Poppers

• Big, Rich Texas Sheet Cake

Safety & Precautions

• At check-in, you will be asked to sign a waiver before entering the Cooking School.

• For that reason, we ask that all attendees arrive at least 5 minutes prior to the confirmed start time of the class.

For more information about our classes, please click on the links below:

Find FAQs about our in-store classes here.

Find FAQs about your private classes here.

Host or Publisher Central Market Plano