Virginia Willis is a Georgia-born, French-trained chef who has foraged for berries in Alaska, harvested capers in Sicily, and styled food for a Super Bowl commercial viewed by more than 160 million people. A James Beard Award–winning cookbook author, she has written Fresh Start; Secrets of the Southern Table; Lighten Up, Y’all; Bon Appétit, Y’all; Basic to Brilliant, Y’all; Okra; and Grits.

Beginning in 2019, Virginia lost 65 pounds and has maintained her weight loss for more than five years. Her inspiring health journey—and her signature Good and Good for You™ recipes—have been featured on The Rachael Ray Show, Allrecipes, EatingWell, AARP, Woman’s World, and in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

As a result of her transformation, she launched Good and Good for You™, a personal accountability strategy that promotes positive habits and whole-body wellness. Her biweekly Good and Good for You™ column runs in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and her free weekly newsletter features healthy recipes, self-care strategies, and best-life inspiration.

Virginia has appeared on Food Network’s Alex vs America, Chopped, Martha Stewart Living, CBS Saturday Morning, and Throwdown with Bobby Flay. She has also been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Bon Appétit, Eater, Garden & Gun, and People.

She serves on the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Blue Ribbon Task Force, the Atlanta Community Food Bank Advisory Board, and is a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier.