News Summary
Vera Stewart has transformed her culinary passion into a national brand with VeryVera, offering cakes and casseroles that celebrate love and togetherness around the dinner table. With over 40 years of experience, her journey has inspired many, showcasing her dedication to quality meals and empowering female entrepreneurs. Her culinary show and two cookbooks further spread her innovative recipes while earning recognition from prominent figures, reinforcing her status as a culinary authority. Stewart continues to build her brand and inspire future generations through her forthcoming cookbook ‘OCCASIONS’.
Augusta, Georgia – Vera Stewart, a prominent figure in the culinary world and a champion of female entrepreneurship, has successfully transformed her passion for cooking into a national brand through her company, VeryVera. With over 40 years of experience in the industry, she began her career in catering before expanding to run a café and bakery in Augusta, Georgia.
Stewart’s journey led to the development of VeryVera, a thriving mail-order business offering cakes and casseroles that have gained recognition and popularity across the United States. Her meals have garnered attention from high-profile figures, including Oprah Winfrey, Martha Stewart, and Bobby Flay, attesting to the quality and appeal of her culinary creations. Stewart’s mission centers around creating delicious meals that foster love and togetherness around the dinner table, a value she emphasizes in her work.
Vera Stewart credits her mother, a schoolteacher and single mom, as her primary inspiration. Growing up in a family with five siblings, Stewart was influenced by her mother’s dedication to both her job and her family meals, often utilizing special occasions as opportunities to create beautifully set tables and memorable dining experiences. This upbringing instilled in Stewart a strong work ethic and cooking skills that would serve her well throughout her life.
After graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in home economics education, Stewart began teaching in Marietta, Georgia, in 1974. Following her marriage and relocations within Georgia, she started her catering business, Vera Stewart Occasions, from her home kitchen. Her big break came when she catered an inaugural luncheon for Georgia Governor Joe Frank Harris, which propelled her culinary career forward.
In 1984, Stewart officially launched VeryVera, named in honor of her grandmother. Over the years, she has expanded her brand beyond catering to include her Southern cooking show, currently in its 14th season, along with authoring two successful cookbooks. The VeryVera Show is now broadcasted nationally, reaching audiences in 71 markets. Stewart’s perseverance has been key to her success; she spent ten years seeking Oprah’s endorsement and three years aiming to feature on Food Network, ultimately winning a cooking competition against Bobby Flay in 2010 with her famous carrot cake on the show Throwdown.
Stewart’s journey is also an example of determination in pursuing one’s goals. Her relentless pursuit of airtime at Birmingham, Alabama’s station involved annual submissions of her media kit until she finally secured a time slot for her show. Her dedication to her craft is a lesson she imparts to graduates of Augusta University, emphasizing that hard work and pride in one’s endeavors lead to success rather than mere luck.
In addition to her television presence, Stewart has become a beloved culinary figure through her innovative recipes, many of which emerged from her experiences at bake sales, including her award-winning Praline Poke Cake. Looking ahead, she has plans to release her upcoming cookbook titled “OCCASIONS” in March 2023. Through her recipes and culinary creations, Stewart aims to create lasting memories for future generations, echoing her own cherished experiences of cooking with her grandmother.
Vera Stewart’s story reflects a commitment to excellence and a passion for sharing food that connects people. From her roots in a humble kitchen to her status as a culinary authority, Stewart continues to inspire many through her work in the culinary arts while advocating for female entrepreneurship.
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Additional Resources
- The Augusta Press: Vera Stewart Bake Sale
- Google Search: Vera Stewart
- Augusta Magazine: Very Vera
- Google Scholar: Vera Stewart cooking
- WJBF News: Vera Stewart’s National Brand
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Culinary Arts
- Augusta Chronicle: VeryVera Business Update
- Google News: VeryVera
