Finding Edna Lewis: screening and reception

When it comes to learning how to cook, many of us often draw inspiration from family traditions, geographic location, cookbooks, television and more. Sometimes, those inspirations are less known than others. A new docuseries from VPM and Field Studio is exploring the life of a Virginia-born chef whose memory is kept alive by those that knew her best. Finding Edna Lewis follows host and Style Weekly food editor Deb Freeman on a journey to uncover the life of an American icon. Audiences will hear from a different guest in each episode that cooks alongside Freeman, while also revealing an important aspect of Lewis’s life and legacy. “Edna Lewis is a major figure in American culinary history and her fascinating story and contribution to how we look at Southern food is one that deserves to be celebrated and held in the same esteem as other chefs such as Julia Child,” said Freeman. “I am excited to bring her story to life through interviews from chefs and those who knew her alike.” This screening event will have multiple tasting stations which will feature southern foodways chefs (some local to Richmond). Guests will have small bites and drinks based off Edna’s work. The screening will be the PBS premiere and will run for 50 – 60 minutes. Award-winning writer, podcaster, and food editor of Style Weekly, Deb Freeman, will lead a panel and Q&A session