Virginia Willis

Your first book, Bon Appetit, Y’all, was a huge success. Have you sold like a zillion copies?
I wish I had sold a zillion copies! I’ve been very fortunate with sales; it’s in its fourth printing. It has been a lot of hard work but much of the success of the book has been, I think, due to the stories. People love connecting through food.

You started your food career as an apprentice to Nathalie Dupree and also served as kitchen director for Martha Stewart Television. Plus, you’re a graduate of the L’Academie de Cuisine and Ecole de Cuisine LaVarenne. How does all that mesh with your Georgia upbringing?
My style of cooking is a blend of French and Southern; it’s what I call “refined Southern cuisine.” Nathalie took me out of my mama’s kitchen and exposed me to food I had never seen. Anne Willan in France taught me how to write a recipe and was the key influencer for my editorial training. France was, well, France. I ate things I had never seen and tasted for the first time. Living there opened my eyes. Working for Martha was incredible. The collaboration with a number of immensely talented people taught me attention to detail, and the importance of polish and finesse.

Your new book is Basic to Brilliant, Y’all: 150 Refined Southern Recipes and Ways to Dress Them Up for Company. How fancy are we talking? Can a novice cook tackle these recipes? Can I take them on in my tiny kitchen? I’m talking 25 square feet!
That makes me chuckle; it’s not about size, it’s what you do with it. My basic recipes are clean and simple. I take pride in writing a well-written recipe; that makes things easier for the user. In terms of the “brilliant,” it’s just a little “something-something”—a short recipe, presentation tip or technique to take the basic recipe to a more chef-inspired, “brilliant” level.

Your pecan brownies are famous—they’re the best ever—and I hear that I can now make them at home with a mix from your new Southern Pantry product line. How do we get our hands on them?
Thank you! I love my brownies. In fact I loved them so much I did make a mix that I call a mise en place. My joke is that if you are too lazy to measure out the ingredients I will do it for you. Currently, My Southern Pantry products are available online at virginiawillis.com and locally at all Cook’s Warehouse locations.

Family is a big part of your first book. Do you still cook with your mama?
Yes, I love to cook with mama. She and I love to play together in the kitchen.