Edna Lewis Menu Trail By: Julie Perry, Assistant Director of Economic Development and Tourism
The Orange County Office of Economic Development and Tourism is pleased to announce the creation of the Edna Lewis Menu Trail in celebration of the 50 th Anniversary of the release of The Edna Lewis Cookbook in 1972. Edna Lewis was born on April 13,1916, in an area of Orange County called Freetown. Lewis authored three (3), groundbreaking cookbooks and is credited with bringing the culture and heritage of African American Southern Cuisine to the world. She is often referred to as the Grande Dame of Southern Cooking and was the recipient of an honorary Ph.D. in Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University (1996) and the James Beard Living Legend Award (1999). The United States Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp in her honor in 2014. The Orange County Edna Lewis Menu Trail is a collaborative effort commemorating Lewis and the 50 th Anniversary of her first cookbook – The Edna Lewis Cookbook . It highlights seven (7) Orange County restaurants whose chefs will be creating their own versions of Lewis ’ s recipes for purchase on their menus from Thanksgiving 2022 to Memorial Day 2023. Assistant Director, Julie Perry says “ This new Menu Trail is a way for visitors and locals alike to get a sense of Lewis ’ s legacy today. It ’ s a chance to see how local chefs reinterpret classic, Southern dishes - with access to many of the same ingredients and agriculture that inspired the great Edna Lewis. We can ’ t wait to taste their creations! ” Participating Restaurants are the BBQ Exchange, Champion Ice House, Clearwater Grill, Coopers Cookin and Catering, the Market at Grelen, Spoon and Spindle, and Vintage at the Inn at Willow Grove. Orange County Economic Development and Tourism Director, Rose Deal, recently completed a two - week Advanced Economic Development Leadership (ADEL) Executive Education Program and was awarded the Master Economic Development Practitioner (MEDP) certificate. Mrs. Deal has been an economic development practitioner for seven (7) years. Deal noted that, “ The Advanced Economic Development Leadership program was an exceptional learning experience! It allowed me to convene and collaborate with like - minded economic development professionals from around the country, while also learning about today ’ s leadership and economic development best practices. I look forward to applying these new skills with our staff and community. ” AEDL is a collaboration of three (3) universities – The University of Southern Mississippi, Texas Christian University, and the University of New Mexico. These universities are committed to excellence in economic development and advancing the knowledge, skills, and application of key job creation strategies in America ’ s cities, communities, and counties. Rose Deal Graduates From The Advanced Economic Development Leadership (AEDL) Program By: Orange County Economic Development
The AEDL program is immersive and challenging. The experiential curriculum enhances key skills necessary for leading successful community and economic development strategies. Led by experienced world - class faculty, program topics include negotiation, personal and professional leadership, successful teamwork, site selection, economic development, incentives, innovative data for retention, expansion, attraction, entrepreneurship, talent, and more. The Advanced Economic Development Leadership course accepts mid and senior - level practitioners from across the United States. For more information on Orange County ’ s economic development opportunities please contact the Economic Development and Tourism Office at (540) 672 - 1238 or at thinkorangeva.com.
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