Chef Edna - by Melvina Noel (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Edna loved to cook. Growing up on a farm in Freetown, Virginia, she learned the value of fresh, local, seasonal food from her Mama Daisy, as well as how to measure ingredients for biscuits using coins and to listen closely to her cakes to know when they were done. Edna carried these traditions with her all the way to Manhattan, where she became a celebrated chef, cooking traditional French food in her signature Southern style and introducing the world to the flavors of her home"--

Book Synopsis

Chef Edna: Queen of Southern Cooking is a heartfelt tribute to the legendary chef whose reverence for fresh ingredients, seasonal rhythms, and African American culinary heritage reshaped how the world sees Southern food.

Featuring gorgeous color illustrations by Coretta Scott King and Caldecott Honor recipient Cozbi A. Cabrera, Melvina Noel's Chef Edna is a warm and inviting picture book portrait of culinary legend Edna Lewis.

Edna Lewis didn't just cook--she preserved a culture, elevated a cuisine, and inspired generations. This book chronicles her journey from Freetown, Virginia, to national acclaim, celebrating her recipes, philosophy, and enduring influence.

Through vivid storytelling and archival insights, readers will discover how Lewis's commitment to authenticity and elegance helped define American cuisine. Whether you're a food lover, historian, or admirer of trailblazing women, this book offers a rich portrait of a chef whose impact goes far beyond the kitchen.

Review Quotes

"Cabrera's vivid paintings are equally at home depicting the glamour of New York society and the closeness of Freetown's community."
--The Horn Book Magazine

"This tribute to a dedicated champion of traditional Southern food and culture makes a wonderful read-aloud."--Booklist

About the Author

Melvina Noel loves to write and to bake cakes. Thanks to Edna, she listens for her cakes to tell her when they are done. Noel lives in Virginia. Chef Edna is her debut picture book.
Cozbi A. Cabrera is an award-winning illustrator whose gorgeous books--including Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks, published by Abrams--have garnered a Coretta Scott King honor as well as a Caldecott honor for illustration. She lives in Illinois.