ABOUT MARVIN
Chef Marvin Woods
Emmy® Award-nominated Television Host, TV Chef and Author
Chef Marvin Woods is an Emmy® Award-nominated television host, celebrity chef and author of lauded cookbooks, Home Plate Cooking and The New Low Country. He is recognized by fans and peers alike by his infectious personality, signature bandana and wildly inventive take on food rooted in northern Africa, South America, the Caribbean and the Low Country. His healthy, quick-food has been regularly featured in national publications, including O Magazine, Food & Wine, Southern Living and many more.
A 25-year veteran in the hospitality and restaurant industry, Chef Marvin began his career at Harrah's Trump at Trump Plaza, Rockefeller Center, Seagrill, Windows on the World, Arizona 206, Café Beulah and Café Orbit. He also has lead the kitchens of Savannah Restaurant, The National Hotel, Hollywood Prime at the Westin Diplomat and M. Woods.
When Marvin took over as Executive Chef at New York's Café Beulah's, he won wide industry acclaim and caught the attention of publishers and television executives. Along with the restaurant accolades, came a book deal with William Morrow. His first effort, The New Low Country, garnered national media attention including appearances on CBS This Morning, Discovery Network and Lifetime. Publisher's Weekly proclaimed, "Woods' inventiveness makes him a chef to watch!"
In 2000, Marvin caught the attention of executives at Turner South who were looking for new talent for the newly created regional cable network. Marvin was selected to host Home Plate - the perfect vehicle to showcase his charismatic personality and lighter twist on traditional Southern cooking. Home Plate aired for four seasons and attracted more than 7.2 million viewers until the network was acquired by Fox Sports in 2006. The show inspired Chef Marvin's second successful cookbook, Home Plate Cooking (Rutledge Hill Press 2004). The book continues to sell on Amazon.com.
In 2010, Chef Marvin was chosen as the first chef to kick off Michelle Obama's Let's Move! cooking series. As an invited participant in Let's Move!, Marvin visited the White House kitchen to create nutritious and affordable menu plans for busy families. In his Let's Cook video, Chef Marvin demonstrates how easy it is to eat healthy at home and how to create nutritious and affordable meals. Chef Marvin has also traveled the country educating and motivating kids and parents through his own program, Droppin' Knowledge with Chef Marvin Woods since 2006. The national program focuses on a positive way to reduce childhood obesity and other children's health issues.
Following his passion for healthy eating, Chef Marvin recently opened a new fast-casual restaurant, FunXion, in Washington, DC, as executive chef and partner. Serving common American favorites, like pizza, tacos and burgers (with a healthy twist), FunXion menu items feature at least one Superfood ingredient and are made without a drop of oil, grain of salt or added sugar. Chef Marvin believes that food can be prepared in a whole and healthy way, without sacrificing enjoyment and flavor.
Traveling internationally for appearances and cooking demonstrations, Chef Marvin continues to consistently draw audiences of 200+. He has served as guest chef at the James Beard House, been featured as a celebrity chef at The Pillsbury Bake Off, the Miami Wine & Food Festival and Charlotte Shout as well as selected as a judge for The Southern Living Cook Off. Marvin has participated in special promotions and campaigns for Char- Broil, Food Lion Supermarkets, SCANA and Publix, among others.
Chef Marvin is currently working on a line of spice blends and sauces, travels the country on behalf of the American Heart Association and other healthy organizations, and is actively involved in the Atlanta community where he resides with his wife and two children. For more information, please visit www.marvinwoods.net and www.letsmove.gov.

