ABOUT MARVIN
Chef Marvin Woods
Emmy® Award-nominated Television Host, TV Chef and Author
Chef Marvin Woods is an Emmy® Award-nominated television host, lauded cookbook author and celebrity chef. He is recognized by fans and peers alike by his infectious personality, signature bandanas and his wildly inventive take on food rooted in northern Africa, South America, the Caribbean and the Low Country.
Chef Marvin is a 23-year veteran in the hospitality and restaurant industry. His first big break came when he helped Donald Trump open Harrah's at Trump Plaza in Atlantic City. He then went on to New York City to build an impressive culinary pedigree, starting with The Sea Grill at Rockefeller Center, and then on to the Windows on the World, Helmsley Palace, Quatorze and Arizona 206. He further cultivated his talent in London.
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 about the celebrity chef, "Woods' inventiveness makes him a chef to watch!"
With all the industry buzz, Chef Marvin was tapped to lead the kitchens of Savannah Restaurant, The National Hotel, Hollywood Prime at the Westin Diplomat and M. Woods - all in Miami. His healthy, quick food was regularly featured in O Magazine, Food & Wine, Southern Living and many more national publications. Oprah declared, "Chef Marvin Woods' dishes are light, sophisticated, exotic!"
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 chef show was the perfect vehicle to showcase his charismatic personality, put a lighter twist on traditional Southern cooking, and to introduce the low country recipe on a national stage. It was a big hit, regularly attracting more than 7.2 million viewers. Home Plate successfully ran for four seasons until the network was acquired by Fox Sports in 2006. The chef show spawned a second cookbook, Home Plate Cooking (Rutledge Hill Press 2004), which was a big success.
Marvin travels internationally for appearances and cooking demonstrations, and consistently draws audiences of 200+. He has made several appearances as a guest chef at the James Beard House, and has served as a featured celebrity chef at The Pillsbury Bake Off, the Miami Wine & Food Festival and Charlotte Shout, as well as a judge for The Southern Living Cook Off. Marvin has participated in special promotions and campaigns for Char-Broil, Food Lion Supermarkets, Mission Foods, SCANA and Publix, among others.
Currently, Marvin has two new television show projects in development. He has developed a national Healthy for Kids program called Droppin' Knowledge with Chef Marvin Woods that focuses on a positive way to combat childhood obesity and other children's health issues, promoting lifestyles that are healthy for kids. Marvin is working on a line of spice blends and sauces for online and retail. Marvin lives in Atlanta with his wife and two kids.

