Delilah Winder is a celebrated chef and entrepreneur who absolutely loves making good food. Born and raised in Virginia, Winder has spent the bulk of her career in Philadelphia where she made her reputation for delectable cuisine. Oprah Winfrey declared Winder’s signature macaroni and cheese the “best in the country,” and Winder has taken her show on the road, spreading good food and good cheer this holiday season.
“I’ve partnered with Hillshire Farms to do a holiday community event with the Nicholas House where we’re going to go in and prepare a holiday meal,” Winder says, beaming proudly as she finishes baking. “They have an 85 percent success rate in helping families to transition from homelessness into housing and employment so that they can move forward with their lives. Community service is a big part of what I enjoy doing — [so] when asked to come here to Atlanta and help out with Hillshire; it was a yes, yes for me.”
What are your holiday specialties?
The little ‘Stuffin’ Muffin,’ which is [where we take] your favorite cornbread muffin mix and put little link sausages in the center of it with whatever your favorite cheese is, and we let it bake up and it sinks down into the center of the muffin. And my famous mac and cheese — to that I’ve added the smoked turkey Hillshire Farms sausage.”
When did you realize cooking was your passion?
Since I was a little girl, [I’ve] just really enjoyed eating good food. And as I grew up, I always enjoyed entertaining. So after school I was making hamburgers and milkshakes and fresh-cut french fries for my girlfriends at my house — running up my parents grocery bill because I’m cooking for the neighborhood and school friends! It’s been a passion of mine for many, many years.
What should one know about pursuing a culinary career?
It’s a lot of hard work — but it’s work that comes from your soul. You have to have a love [for] it — enjoying people and enjoying food and enjoying seeing people partake. There is no feeling in the world better than that for me.
– todd williams
