Anne Willan (born January 26, 1938[1]inNewcastle upon Tyne, England) is the founder of the prestigious École de Cuisine La Varenne, which operated in Paris and Burgundy France, from 1975 until 2007.La Varenne classes continue in Los Angeles, California.
In July 2014 Anne was awarded the rank of Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor for her accomplishments in promoting the gastronomy of France. In May 2013, Anne was inducted into the James Beard Foundation Hall of Fame for her “body of work.” Anne is a recognized authority on French cooking,[2] and has more than 50 years of experience as a teacher, author and culinary historian.
She has written more than 30 books, including the influential La Varenne Pratique and the 17-volume, photo-illustrated Look and Cook series, showcased in a 26-part PBS program which she hosted. Willan's The Country Cooking of France received two 2008 James Beard Foundation book awards for best international cookbook and best cookbook photography. Bon Appétit magazine named Willan its cooking teacher of the year in 2000. She was honored with a lifetime achievement award by the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) in 1999 for her contributions to the world of food writing, culinary education and to the IACP itself.[3]
Willan received her master's degree in economics from Cambridge University, then studied and taught cooking in London and Paris before moving to the United States, where she became an associate editor of Gourmet magazine and food editor of the Washington Star. In 1975, she moved to Paris and founded La Varenne, which later expanded to offer programs at The Greenbrier and at her home in Burgundy. Her books have been widely published in the United States, the UK and translated into more than 24 languages.
She and her husband live in Los Angeles. They have two children and five grandchildren.
Bibliography
Edible Monument: The Art of Food for Festivals, Contributor (2015)
Secrets from the La Varenne Kitchen (2014)
One Soufflé at a Time: A Memoir of Food and France (2013)
The Cookbook Library: Four Centuries of the Cooks, Writers, and Recipes That Made the Modern Cookbook (2012)
The Country Cooking of France (2007)
A Cook’s Book of Quick Fixes & Kitchen Tips (2005)
The Good Cook (2004)
Good Food No Fuss (2003)
Cooking with Wine (2001)
From My Château Kitchen (2000)
In and Out of the Kitchen in Fifteen Minutes or Less (1995)
Cook It Right (1998)
Look and Cook, 17 Volume Series, (1992–1995)
La Varenne Pratique (1989) - also in e-book
French Regional Cooking (1981)
Grand Diplome Cooking Course (1979)
Great Cooks and Their Recipes (1977, republished 1992)
Board memberships
Member of the Advisory Council of the Julia Child Foundation [1]