Contents
Elizabeth Heiskell is a critically acclaimed chef, cookbook author, and social media culinary influencer who has been long-admired for her passion for farm-fresh produce. Her recipes and stories bring the beauty of farm-to-table living to life, often drawing on ingredients grown at her family’s Woodson Ridge Farm. Heiskell recently inspired her fans in a profoundly personal way after opening up about her breast cancer diagnosis during an appearance on Today.
Along the way, Elizabeth had her rock in husband Luke Heiskell. Much more than a long-standing husband, Luke was indeed an integral part of Elizabeth’s culinary world. Being the farmer at Woodson Ridge Farm, he supplied much of the fresh, bright produce that was the foundation for some of her most beloved dishes. In all, they have built more than a marriage: a shared mission to promote the farm-to-table lifestyle, connecting people with the land and its food.
The Heiskells are life partners and sustainable farming pioneers. From their Oxford, Mississippi farm, they are making a great case for how local agriculture can improve flavor and community. Luke’s commitment to farming and hands-on work in seasonal produce shows in Elizabeth’s cooking, which often highlights simple fresh ingredients elevated to their fullest potential.
Aside from farming, the couple is proactive in building a community of people who purchase produce directly from farmers and embrace seasonality in eating. All in all, it proves their partnership-taking Lukas’ farming skill and pairing that with Elizabeth’s art into something special.
With continued battling of cancer, Elizabeth stays an inspiration-many first because of resiliency, then genuineness. Together they bear witness to the power a partnership in conquest can be: learning to appreciate and valuing the beauty of a season. In fact, with Luke, food, family, and all the beauty of farm-to-table, the lifestyle continues being celebrated by both families toward the future.
Source: Pinterest
Luke Heiskell’s Family
Lucius Lamar “Luke” Heiskell Jr. was born in 1966 in Sumner, Mississippi, although his family has roots in Memphis, Tennessee. He is one of four children born to Barbara “Babo” Heiskell Mills and Lucius Lamar Heiskell Sr.
He is the son of Lucius Sr., who served in the U.S. Air Force and was killed at the age of 27 years in the Vietnam War. At that time, he was married with two young children, Margaret and Luke.
After the death of her husband, Babo married Mike Mills, and out of this marriage came a daughter, Elizabeth Mills, who completed the blended family. Despite facing all hardships, Babo was known for being resilient, dedicated to her children, and much more.
Babo passed away in 2021, leaving behind a legacy of love and strength. She is survived by her three children—Margaret, Luke, and Elizabeth—their spouses, and her grandchildren. Mike Mills, her second husband, preceded her in death.
Today, Luke Heiskell carries forward his family’s story, honoring the sacrifices and values instilled by his parents while cherishing the connections that have endured across generations.
Luke Heiskell’s Education and Career
Luke Heiskell graduated from Baylor School in 1985 and attended the University of Mississippi from 1985 to 1990. He also attended the Marine Military Academy.
Since 2011, he’s been running Woodson Ridge Farms LLC and calls Oxford home. How he and his wife, Elizabeth Heiskell, transformed their farm life into a major social media attraction is quite the story.
Mike Mills, Luke Heiskell’s stepfather, had a cotton farm in Swan Lake, Mississippi. The family grew several crops at their farms and gardens, and Luke learned his farming expertise there.
When the couple settled in Oxford, Luke Heiskell combined his farming knowledge with his wife’s culinary prowess to transform how America eats. Elizabeth Gourlay Heiskell is now a lauded culinary goddess highlighting farm produce in her cooking videos, catering business, and cookbook, The Southern Living Party Cookbook. Together with her husband, she has promoted community-supported agriculture.
Luke Heiskell is not only farming tomatoes and providing produce to local eateries, but he also helps local businesses and also serves on the Oxford Community Farmers Market Advisory Committee.
Also Read: Elizabeth Tilson: Everything You Need to Know about Roger Ailes’ Wife
Luke Heiskell and Elizabeth Heiskell’s Relationship and Kids
Luke and Elizabeth Heiskell have been married for 27 years as of 2022 and are private about most details about their relationship. They are parents to three children—Elizabeth Stott Heiskell, Mary Paxton Heiskell, and Lucia Lamar Heiskell III.
Elizabeth Heiskell has had several appearances on Today, but her most recent one was meaningful. The celebrity cookbook author revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Elizabeth Heiskell appeared on Today straight after a round of chemotherapy. Her husband accompanied her and later urged fans to watch his wife’s latest interview. She said on Today how her husband is incredibly supportive of her through the treatment.
