Join us for the award-winning documentary "Finding Edna Lewis," followed by a discussion of Lewis' extraordinary life and culinary achievements with the film's host and executive producer, Deb Freeman.

About the film

From Freetown, Virginia, to New York City, Edna Lewis carved a remarkable path. She introduced many Americans to seasonal, Southern cooking — the cooking of the Black community in rural Virginia that raised her. Yet despite a life that included fame and acclaim, she is not a household name. In the Emmy-winning PBS documentary "Finding Edna Lewis," writer and culinary historian Deb Freeman travels to the places where Miss Lewis made her mark.

Deb Freeman

Food journalist and culinary historian Deb Freeman delves into the intersections of race, culture, and food – especially in Virginia and across the South. Freeman is the executive producer and host of the critically acclaimed PBS documentary "Finding Edna Lewis," a film that explores the legacy of the famed chef.

She is also the host and creator of Setting the Table, a multi-award winning podcast exploring Black foodways and culinary history. Setting the Table was named by Apple Podcasts as “one of the shows we loved in 2022,” while Texas Monthly wrote that the podcast “explored topics they wished they had covered.” In 2023, Setting the Table was honored by the International Association of Culinary Professionals as “Podcast of the Year,” and also won gold in the food and drink category at the Signal Awards. Freeman has also been honored by Slow Food USA and is a Black Women in Food honoree.

Freeman has appeared on Chef Carla Hall’s show, Finding Flavor, on HBO/Max, as well as The Key Ingredient on PBS. Her written work includes contributions to Eater, Condé Nast Traveler, Food52, Modern Farmer, The Local Palate, Plate Magazine, Epicurious, Garden and Gun, Pit Magazine, Gravy, and Gastro Obscura, and she has provided cultural commentary for BBC Radio.

Residents of James City County, York County and the City of Williamsburg, including William & Mary students, receive free general museum admission with proof of residency. For more information, call (757) 253-4838.

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About Jamestown Settlement

Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s days), Jamestown Settlement is located on State Route 31 just southwest of Williamsburg. The museum features expansive exhibition galleries and films that connect visitors with the lives of the Powhatan, English and West Central African cultures that converged at 17th-century Jamestown. Outdoor living-history areas feature historical interpretation in re-creations of Paspahegh Town, 1607 English ships and a colonial fort.

Admission tickets can be purchased online or in person.