August 2: Simply Kitchen, Augusta GA. Demo and booksigning
August 16: Foxfire Kitchen Shops, cooking class, Greenville SC
August 21: Borders, book signing, Athens GA, 7 pm
August 23: Alon's Bakery and Market. Demo and booksigning
September 2: Whole Foods Market, Memphis, TN. Tasting and booksigning.
September 3: Viking Cooking Schools, Memphis TN. 6:30 pm
September 4: Viking Cooking Schools, Franklin, TN 6:30 pm
September 5: Whole Foods Market Salud! Cooking class.
September 12: Corner Cooks in conjunction with The Book Stall, Book luncheon, Winnetka, IL
September 13: Chicago Culinary Historians, lecture & signing, Chicago, IL
September 16
Salud! Alpharetta
Harry's Farmers Market
1180 Upper Hembree Rd, Roswell, GA 30076
770.442.3354
September 17
Wednesday 6:30 to 8:30pm $40
Rolling Pin Athens GA
196 Alps Rd # 43 Athens, GA 30606
(706) 354-8080
Virginia's new book is out an receiving rave reviews all over the country. Come and share some of her favorite recipes. She's making Pecan Crusted Goat Cheese with Mixed Greens, Chicken Saltimbocca with Country Ham, and Grits with Vidalia Onion and Corn. You'll go home happy after tasting her to-die-for Georgia Peach Souffles. Catch Virginia on her Athens stop on her nationwide book tour.
September 18
Thursday 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm $59
Fall Entertaining and Tailgating
Viking Culinary Arts Center Atlanta
Virginia Willis is a French-trained chef, food writer and television producer. She has worked with numerous celebrities and her articles have appeared in Country Living, Family Fun, and Edible Atlanta. The playful title of this Southern-French cookbook belies its studious attitude to cookery. Willis grew up in Georgia and Louisiana, absorbing her mother's and grandmother's repertoire of grits, casseroles and gumbos before developing her professional skills at French cooking academies. The result is a hybrid cuisine she calls “refined Southern,” which applies traditional French technique and lighter ingredients to produce new versions of Southern staples. Visit www.virginiawillis.com for more information. Our menu includes:
September 19 – 23: Women Chefs and Restaurateurs Conference, New Orleans, LA
September 20
5:00 – 6:00 pm Reception and booksigning
Southern Food and Beverage Museum - http://www.southernfood.org
Riverwalk
1 Poydras Street #169, New Orleans, LA 70130
504-569-0405
September 24
Cook’s Warehouse Decatur
7:00 PM - 9:00 p.m. $50
Come see why this classically trained, Southern chef is the rave of foodies around the world. Although Virginia’s resume reads like a Who’s Who of the cooking world, it is her style and organization in the kitchen that set her apart and makes her classes a “must attend”. Tonight, Virginia prepares Salade de Cresson et d'Endives au Roquefort, Pomme, et Noix (Watercress, Endive, Roquefort, Apple and Walnut Salad), Gigot d'Agneau (Roasted Leg of Lamb on Moroccan-style Couscous), Haricots Verts Provencal (Green Beans, Garlic, Tomatoes, Olives) and for dessert, decadent Chocolate Tartlets. Learn to master these French Bistro favorites as you watch Virginia prepare the menu step by step, accompanied with colorful stories and entertaining tips that will enable you to recreate them at home.
September 26
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Wine Makes the Meal: Country French
Cook’s Warehouse Decatur
Michael Nix & Virginia Willis $65
Celebrate the onset of fall in our Decatur location as Michael and Guest Chef Virginia Willis transport us to the casual elegance of the French countryside. We begin our evening with a charming Amuse Bouche of the classically French puff pastry know as Gougeres, a cheesy little delight perfectly paired with Michael's signature class opener of sparkling wine. Next, we experience the timeless sophistication of Virginia's Soufflé au Fromage, a traditional dish currently enjoying a major resurgence on the American culinary landscape. With an eye toward cooler weather and comfort minded foods, we move into the entree portion of our evening by enjoying a beautiful Chicken with Red Wine Fricassee accompanied by Celeraic Puree, a buttery and silky smooth French-style puree. As we bring our countryside adventure to a close, we indulge ourselves with the rich and creamy goodness of Chocolate Pots de Crème. But will Michael take us down the traditional path of French wine pairings or will we find an expatriate grape paying homage to the motherland? Join us to see firsthand what the pairing outcome will be!
September 27: Stone Mountain Chili Cook-off, Atlanta, GA - http://www.theatlantachilicookoff.com
September 28
Sunday 2:00 pm
Atlanta Home Show
Bon Appetit Y'all: Recipes & Stories from Three Generations of Southern Cooking
September 30
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Foxfire Greenville SC $55
Beef Basics
Mooooove over, chicken and fish! Chef Virginia is back with a full line-up of lessons designed to teach you the ins and outs of everything beef! Learn basic beef cuts and where they come from, and dine on delicious dishes that showcase those cuts, including: Sesame Sirloin Steaks, Beef Goulash, Pepper-Crusted Beef Tenderloin with Cognac and Golden Raisins, and Old-School Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy. We’ll also have copies of Chef Virginia’s new book, “Bon Appétit, Y'all: Three Generations of Southern Cooking,” available for purchase and signing before class!
October 2-5: American Royal Barbecue, Gold Peak Tea event, Kansas City MO
October 8
Bon Appetit, Y'all Fall Favorites
Cook’s Warehouse Midtown
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM $50
Join Virginia for these elegant and surprisingly easy fall dishes filled with the season’s robust flavors. These favorites with a French twist from her new book, Bon Appétit Y'all, are easy once you experience Virginia’s methods. Tonight, she’ll prepare Gougeres (small cheese popover pastries) in three ways, Poached Georgia Shrimp, Lamb Lollipops with Raita, a refreshing Indian Yogurt & Herb Sauce, and Peppered Beef Bites. Soon, you’ll be the chef getting rave reviews as these dishes become family favorites in no time.
October 9: Kitchenware Outfitters, cooking class & signing, Savannah GA
October 9 -12: Savannah, Georgia
Details to come!
October 15 – 27: Les Dames d’Escoffier in Hawaii
October 28
Virginia speaks at American Dietetic Association with Gold Peak Iced Tea
Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo
Chicago, IL
October 30
Columbus Cooks – Columbus, GA
Details to come!
October 31 – November 1
Cincinnati, OH
Details to come!
November 5
Athens Rolling Pin
Details to come!
November 6
French Techniques
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM $50
Cook’s Warehouse Brookhaven
Virginia Willis has become a stand-out in the culinary world with her “simple is best” philosophy that combines traditional French culinary techniques, the finest seasonal ingredients, and lots of gracious, Southern charm. Tonight, she shares those attributes with you. Join Chef Willis as she prepares a complete menu of simple yet sophisticated French classics: Souffle au Fromage (Classic Cheese Souffle served with Butter Lettuce in Shallot Vinaigrette), Roast Chicken Provencal, Classic Rice Pilaf, Creamed Spinach, and delicious Profiteroles for dessert. Her friendly, accessible approach makes it easy for you to learn as she leads you step-by-step through the menu.
November 7
Les Dames d’Escoffier Evening in the City – Wente Wine Dinner
November 9
Les Dames d’Escoffier Afternoon in the Country
Nov 13–16: Highlands Culinary Weekend, cooking demonstrations & signings, Highlands NC