Who We Are – Meet the Trainers
Lisa Ekus-Saffer
Principal and Founder
The Lisa Ekus Group, LLC
Hatfield, MA
Lisa Ekus offers more than 28 years experience managing a culinary-focused public relations firm that has trained hundreds of cookbook authors, chefs and spokespeople, including Emeril Lagasse, Charlie Trotter, Sara Moulton, Marcel Desaulniers, Barbara Lynch, Ana Sortun and many others. She holds regular media training seminars in her professional studio kitchen as well as on-location trainings around the country for corporate restaurant groups. Lisa speaks regularly at a wide range of conferences and events, including the International Association of Culinary Professionals, Women Chefs and Restaurateurs, The Symposium for Professional Food Writers, Les Dames d’Escoffier, Edible Communities, and the Traverse Epicurean Classic. In addition to her work as media trainer and publicist, Lisa is also a respected literary agent, representing both new and established authors to publishers around the globe.
Virginia Willis
Principal and Founder
Virginia Willis Culinary Productions, LLC
Atlanta, GA
Virginia Willis is the author of the acclaimed cookbook, Bon Appétit, Y’all! Recipe and Stories from Three Generations of Southern Cooking (Ten Speed Press, 2008). A graduate of L’Academie de Cuisine and Ecole de Cuisine LaVarenne, she honed her attention to detail as the Kitchen Director for Martha Stewart Living Television where she supervised the food segments for the Emmy-award winning TV show. Other television credits include Epicurious, Bobby Flay, and Natalie Dupree. In addition to Bon Appetit, Y’all, her writing credits include: editor for The All-New Joy of Cooking; author of Pasta Dinners 1,2,3; co-author of Home Plate Cooking; and editorial assistant to Anne Willan for Cook It Right. She has offered media training to individuals and corporations and is increasingly using her media skills in front of the camera, adding special insight to the presentation. For more information please visit www.VirginiaWillis.com.
