Anne Willan

Anne Willan (born January 26, 1938 in Newcastle 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.

Anne is a recognized authority on French cooking and has more than 50 years of experience as a teacher, author and culinary historian. In May 2013, Anne was inducted into the James Beard Foundation Hall of Fame for her “body of work.” In July 2014, Anne was awarded the rank of Chevalier in the French Legion of Honor for her accomplishments in promoting the gastronomy of France.

She has written more than 30 books, including the influential La Varenne Pratique and the 17-volume, photo-illustrated Look and Cook series which was turned into a 26-part PBS program. 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.

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. Most of her books have been widely published in the United States and the UK and have been translated into more than 24 languages.

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