The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING EDNA LEWIS
______
HON. ABIGAIL DAVIS SPANBERGER
of virginia
in the house of representatives
Friday, October 21, 2022
Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of a distinguished Virginian, Ms. Edna Lewis.
Edna was born in Freetown, Orange County, Virginia in 1916. As a child growing up in a small farming community of emancipated slaves, Edna learned how to grow and cultivate food on her grandfather's farm. Drawing upon the heritage and culture of her African-American ancestors, Edna developed her distinct style of traditional Southern cooking.
At the age of sixteen, Edna left Freetown and eventually settled in New York City. Working as a seamstress and dressmaker, it wasn't until 1949 that she began cooking professionally as the head chef at Cafe Nicholson, a new restaurant in Manhattan. The restaurant and Edna's unique style of Southern cooking quickly gained a dedicated following--
including prominent individuals ranging from Eleanor Roosevelt to Truman Capote.
Even after Edna eventually left Cafe Nicholson, demand for her cooking and culinary expertise did not diminish. She published her first cookbook in 1972, followed shortly after by The Taste of Country Cooking in 1976. The Taste of Country Cooking, her seminal work, combines recipes and stories from her childhood in Freetown. Edna's ability to impart her voice and heritage in the cookbook made it loved and adored by many.
Edna published two more cookbooks over the course of her life. She was the recipient of numerous accolades, including the James Beard Living Legend Award and International Association of Culinary Professionals Lifetime Achievement Award, among many others. In 2014, she was honored by the creation of a U.S. postal stamp with her image.
Now, in honor of Edna's life and achievements, the Orange County community will be installing a historical marker so that visitors can learn more about her and her contributions to our Commonwealth and our Nation. As the U.S. Representative for Virginia's Seventh District, I thank Orange County for creating an enduring memory of Edna so that future generations can remember one of the great champions of Southern cuisine.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 166(1), Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 166(2)
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
House Representatives' salaries are historically higher than the median US income.
Alerts Sign-up