Chef Edna: Queen of Southern Cooking, Edna Lewis - Hardcover

by Melvina Noel (Author), Cozbi A. Cabrera (Illustrator)

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.

Author Biography

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.