A contemporary collection of Southern recipes from Southern-cooking specialist Virginia Willis, accompanied with a fascinating tour of Southern food purveyors and influencers. The book ties into the PBS show of the same name, set to air in 2018 to correspond with the book’s release. Secrets of the Southern Table is a collection of 80 crave-worthy recipes from award-winning cookbook author, journalist, television personality, and Southern cooking expert Virginia Willis. Stamped with Virginia’s signature charm and wit, this collection welcomes home cooks to delight guests with delicious and diverse offerings such as Black Pepper Cream Cheese Biscuits, Butter Sorghum Chicken, and Warm Mexican Chocolate Pudding with Bourbon Cream. The recipes capture not only the traditional flavors of the region, but the exciting emerging tastes that influence the modern South. Virginia’s warm and welcoming voice provides colorful historical background, such as how shrimp (free for the fishing) and grits began as a dish enjoyed by impoverished families and moved into a signature dish of modern fine restaurants. So much more than a cookbook, Secrets of the Southern Table is a celebration of the fascinating and evolving South by a respected name in the region’s cuisine and culture. SELLING POINTS: . Modern Southern Cooking is on Trend: Celebrity chefs like Hugh Acheson and Sean Brock are helping to popularize the modern Southern culinary movement. Virginia’s take on modern Southern cooking, with her exceptional and proven recipes, provides readers with a fresh exploration of this beloved region. . Ever-Growing Social Media Platform: Already widely respected in the food community, Virginia Willis is steadily increasing her visibility and fan base across social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook, as well as through her journalism and her new television show. . A True Tour of the Region: Whether talking agriculture with local farmers or sustainable fishing with shrimpers, the special journalistic features in the book will give readers a true tour of the South and the food influencers who are part of the scene today.