Marvin Woods

Chef Marvin Woods is a beloved Emmy® Award-nominated television host, celebrated chef, restaurateur, author of lauded cookbooks, "Home Plate Cooking" and "The New Low Country Cooking," and a 30-year veteran in the hospitality and restaurant industry. His early start was at some of New York’s famed and iconic restaurants such as the Sea Grill at 30 Rock. He also “did stints” in Europe, South and Central America, Africa and the Caribbean. Since 2004, Chef Woods has been leading conversations that illustrate a balanced healthy life is through food and diet..

Marvin Woods has written two successful cookbooks. His first book, The New Low-Country Cooking shares the taste of the south, specifically in the Low Country of South Carolina. In his second book, Home Plate Cooking, Woods shares 150 classic recipes for southern dishes and also provides a quicker, healthier version of the same dish.

Woods’ achievements and accolades have earned him interviews on television shows throughout his cooking career including NBC’s Today Show, Lifetime, CBS This Morning, and Discovery Network. He has also been featured in Southern Living magazine, Food & Wine, Oprah Winfrey’s O Magazine, and Publisher’s Weekly.

In 2010 Chef Marvin was hand-picked by First Lady Michelle Obama to launch a new campaign as part of her Let’s Move! program which promotes healthy eating and physical activity for America’s youth. For the cooking series campaign, Let’s Cook, Chef Woods contributed recipes for a week’s worth of meals under an $80 budget for a family of four.

Marvin Woods is the executive chef and partner of a new fast-casual restaurant called FunXion in Washington, DC. With a menu serving American favorites like pizza, tacos and burgers, Marvin adds a healthy twist by using at least one Superfood ingredient. All foods are made without any oil, grain of salt or added sugar. His philosophy is that food can be prepared in a whole and healthy way without the sacrifice of enjoyment and flavor.

Marvin Woods loves to do guest appearances and cooking demonstrations and has been featured as a celebrity chef at The Pillsbury Bake Off, the Miami Wine & Food Festival, and Charlotte Shout and has been a judge for the nationwide Southern Living Cook Off.

As the host of Home Plate on the Turner South network for 4 seasons, he attracted more than 7.2 million viewers until the network was acquired by Fox Sports. This show was the inspiration of Marvin’s second cookbook, Home Plate Cooking. Currently, he is working on a line of spice blends and sauces, travels the country with the American Heart Association and other health oriented organizations. Marvin Woods is available for speaking engagements, corporate appearances and cooking demonstrations.