From Apron Strings to TV Screens

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WLTZ) -

This story first appeared in the October issue of Chattahoochee Valley Living. Pick up your copy at your local Zelmo’s Zip-In Convenience Store!

As a 1971 High School graduate in Macon, my thoughts of graduation and beyond were solely based on having FUN in college. However, due to my placement for homeroom, my senior year being in the Home Economics department, I found myself way more interested in getting to school early, purely because of the influence Mrs. Catherine Dupree had on me in that department. I was so interested in her early morning prep to get all the kitchenettes staged for her lesson plans. I was literally “tied to her apron strings.”

Fast forward to a career that celebrates 40 years in 2024! The evolution of my business is grounded in the ability to reinvent myself through the stages of continued growth in the Food & Beverage industry. The timeline on the VeryVera Website speaks to the significant diversification over 40 years, the core of my continued love for my business is passion. As you reminisce about your own childhood, do you recall a favorite dish, celebration, presentation or staging of the food? These around the dinner table moments are the tidbits I love to showcase in my show and in the lessons we’re teaching through The VeryVera Cooking Camp.

Majoring in Home Economics at The University of Georgia, sounded like an easy and fun way to get a college degree. Little did I know that Chemistry, Interior Design, Child Development and Home Management would all be thrown into the mix. Along with my degree, the University of Georgia has also made amazing strides to establish a stellar program with graduates that have been pioneers in many areas of this curriculum. I am PROUD TO BE A GEORGIA BULLDOG. As a Bulldog Top 100 recipient and a FACS (Family and Consumer Science) TOP 100, I continue to work with students and graduate interns.

Majoring in Home Economics at The University of Georgia, sounded like an easy and fun way to get a college degree. Little did I know that Chemistry, Interior Design, Child Development and Home Management would all be thrown into the mix. Along with my degree, the University of Georgia has also made amazing strides to establish a stellar program with graduates that have been pioneers in many areas of this curriculum. I am PROUD TO BE A GEORGIA BULLDOG. As a Bulldog Top 100 recipient and a FACS (Family and Consumer Science) TOP 100, I continue to work with students and graduate interns.

My two Cookbooks, Recipes from my Table and Occasions have basically told my story and have also shared every recipe I kept under wraps for years. I have done so with the same passion for perfection as though we were still shipping or displaying these products for enjoyment at a wedding reception.

The VeryVera Show, founded in 2012 as a local Augusta Cooking show, became syndicated in 2015 and Columbus GA (WRBL) followed Savannah (WSAV) as our second market. We have recently partnered with a new station in Columbus, WLTZ, for Season 12 which has allowed great time slots and two airtimes on Saturday and Sunday. We are so excited and grateful for this opportunity! Columbus has been great to The VeryVera Show, as we have filmed two times in the city and have many followers in the area. We plan to be back in the Fall of 2024!

As I celebrate the 40th Anniversary of my company in 2024, I reminisce about the people that have been instrumental in my career and the staff that has been so passionate about our culture and dedication to our work. These elements continue to motivate me to have constant goals, strategies for improvement and renewal of standards that have stood the test of time.

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