The official Press Release sent to numerous media outlets for Vada’s Vittles.
THIS MAMA’S GOT EVERY RECIPE FOR THE STOMACH AND THE SOUL
Author Publishes Biography of Mother’s recipes and virtues in Vada’s Vittles
[East Bay, CA – Date] Keeping a black family together during the social unrest of the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s was just about as hard as you allowed it to be. It’s even harder than ever these days to keep any family together. Half of all children in America will watch their parents break up, many will even witness a parent break down. The struggle is real. But, for Millicent Elaine Williams, her “Royal Family,” and a community of villagers, that stress fades away through nourishment, love, and laughter. Thanks to Vada’s Vittles. Mama Vada’s soul food and her vittles of well-earned wisdom has kept her family and her community close through it all. Now, Millicent has penned Vada’s words of wisdom, family stories and recipes in a new book.
Vada’s Vittles, published through FriesenPress, shares the life story and 32 recipes of an orphan named LaVada Virginia Lancaster Williams Clark. As stated in the foreword written by Indiana Representative Greg Porter, “the writings will astound you. After reading the book, you will be both hungry and full”. LaVada’s villagers come forward one by one to attest to the goodness of her food, her wisdom, and her kindness. The food she cooks and serves is some of the best grub you will ever put in your mouth. Her macaroni and cheese will make you hurt yourself and her seasoned one-liners will make you take care of yourself. Vada’s Vittles is filled with laughter, encouragement, wisdom, joy, and pain. You will discover how a favorite dish or a heart-to-heart talk becomes a staple in the meals of many people from all walks of life. From superstars to homeless people, her food and love has served its purpose, while continuing to transcend generations.
Article posted in the Indianapolis Recorder
Vada’s Vittles for one and all
Joan Allen (left) flips through her recently purchased and signed copy of Vada’sVittles, a book that captures the life story of LaVada Lancaster Williams Clark, her family, and the village of people who have come to know them through love, hardship and great food. Clark (right) sheds a smile of joy.
Article posted in the Center for the Visually Impaired Sight Seeing Blog
Vada’s Vittles by Millicent Elaine Williams
I conceptually started writing Vada’s Vittles about 10 years ago when my sister and I decided we had a mother with a story that needed to be told. We had witnessed the transformation of a little poor black orphan girl, who was given away at birth that morphed into an extraordinary mother who birthed her own little royal family and raised a village of people with the nourishments of her love, compassion, and delicious soul food. Her witty one-liners and sayings combined with her recipes became the book I wrote and named Vada’s Vittles.
After deciding the book title and the elements I wanted to capture, I began the story. It’s the true story of a woman and her family, who opened their hearts and their home to their friends, and their friends, and their families, and their families. They literally put their arms around generations of folks and the love and the food multiplied from the homeless to the famous.