Liz Williams was lucky enough to be born into a family of Sicilian heritage in New Orleans. She grew up eating in two great culinary traditions. She is founder of the National Food & Beverage Foundation in New Orleans, which includes the Southern Food & Beverage Museum, the Museum of the American Cocktail and the SoFAB Research Center at Nunez Community College. She has published 6 books about food and food culture. Her most recent books are Nana’s Creole Italian Table and the SoFAB Cookbook with Maddie Hayes, which has been shortlisted for the Gourmand International Cookbook award for 2024. She writes a column for the Times-Picayune/Advocate and is Food Editor for Louisiana Life magazine. A graduate of Louisiana State University (BA, English) and Louisiana State University Law Center (JD) she has served overseas in the U.S. Army as a Judge Advocate General (JAG). She has written many articles for a variety of magazines and journals, has served as judge in many cooking competitions, has consulted internationally on the food of the New Orleans area and the rise of food museums and the interest in food culture. Travel is an excuse to eat in new places.