Columbus restaurant owner among esteemed speakers for series of foodie events
This winter, Chattahoochee Valley Libraries will set the table for a celebration of heritage, history and the enduring power of cuisine with “Food and the Soul of America,” a series of events to mark the nation’s 250th birthday.
The series runs from Jan. 23 to March 12 at the Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road.
With a lineup of acclaimed chefs, authors and food historians, the program aims to connect residents with the nation’s culinary roots and the speaker’s personal stories. Free admission to the events; no tickets are required.
Schedule of foodie events at Columbus Public Library
Organizers are targeting not only foodies but also history buffs and families eager to discover legacies passed down through recipes and shared meals.
Tiffany Wilson, community events coordinator for Chattahoochee Valley Libraries, told the Ledger-Enquirer each speaker will have a dish that accompanies their presentation for guests to try.
“By hosting ‘Food & the Soul of America’, the library is creating a space and opportunity where people of all ages can learn, taste and connect, linking national history to local experiences,” Wilson said. “We’re proud to provide programs that celebrate our region, honor our traditions and spark conversations across generations.”
Here is the schedule of speakers:
- The History of Barbecue with two-time James Beard Award-winner Adrian Miller (Jan. 23 at 11:30 a.m.) explores the regional evolution of this American staple.
- Preserving Family Recipes featuring Georgia author and archivist Valerie J. Frey (Jan. 31 from 1-4 p.m.) combines a lecture and hands-on workshop helping participants save family culinary treasures.
- Author/television host John T. Edge (Feb. 5 at 6 p.m.), celebrated for exploring Southern foodways, brings his storytelling to Columbus
- Classic Country Cooking: a Talk with Melinda Newton, “The Chicken Lady” (Feb. 10 at 6 p.m.), an evening devoted to the journey and traditions of Minnie’s Uptown Restaurant.
- Very Vera! with Vera Stewart (Feb. 17 at 6 p.m.), an Augusta entrepreneur known for her culinary empire and Food Network appearances.
- Historic Georgia Recipes by Valerie J. Frey (Feb. 26 at 6 p.m.) explores regional recipes, with tastings inspired by sources from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Michael Twitty: Recipes from the American South (March 12 at 6 p.m.), a discussion with a James Beard Award winner about Southern food’s myths, evolution and legacy.
Keynote series: Food and Scarcity in the Time of War
The keynote speaking event, ‘Food and Scarcity in the Time of War,’ will feature historians diving into the crucial role food played in shaping the outcomes of the American Revolution and Civil War. The events are:
- Anne Sarah Rubin discussing Civil War-era food supply challenges (Feb. 11 at 6 p.m.)
- Ricardo A. Herrera discussing survival during the Valley Forge winter (March. 4 at 6 p.m.)
Exhibits and experiences
Visitors also can engage with special exhibits, such as “The Cookbooks that Made America” and “Pâté du Sud: a Brief History of Pimiento Cheese.” Additional programs include genealogy classes, workshops on digitizing family recipes and culinary showcases with food samples.
Chattahoochee Valley Libraries staff assembled a cookbook, also called Food and the Soul of America, containing their favorite family recipes. The public can access this cookbook on the Soul of America event page on the library’s website.
History of Minnie’s Uptown Restaurant
One especially meaningful event for Columbus residents will be the talk by Melinda Newton, known locally as “The Chicken Lady” and the owner of Minnie’s Uptown Restaurant.
Newton will be the only Columbus business owner featured among the high-profile presenters, offering an authentic local voice in a series filled with national names. She told the Ledger-Enquirer she was surprised to find out the other speakers for the event.
“I had no idea the caliber of people that I was going to be speaking with, so when [the event organizers] sent me the flyer, I was like ‘holy cow,’” Newton said.
Newton said she has been busy preparing for this event, including enrolling in a public speaking course to hone her skills.
At her event, attendees can learn more about Newton’s culinary and entrepreneurial journey, as well as try some treats from her childhood, like chocolate cake and divinity fudge.
“It’s not the fluff or the persona I put on Facebook,” Newton said. “It is the real depth, all the struggles I had to deal with on my entrepreneurial journey. It’s the good and bad. It’s the real nitty-gritty of my entire professional story.”
How to learn more
For a complete event schedule, descriptions and updates, visit the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries website at www.cvlga.org/Food2026 or refer to their program guide.