cHURCH OF MONIKA: The Food Griot
What is the cHURCH? | cHURCH OF MONIKA: The Food Griot
May 13, 2018
11:00am
Join food and drink historian Tonya Hopkins at the cHURCH for a discussion about food history. This is a free event. Bagels and coffee will be served.
Food history is everywhere, inspiring and influencing everyone from the most decorated chefs to the everyday home cooks. Hopkins loves bringing this history to life as a researcher, expert, writer, and storyteller. She believes in an inclusive narrative of modern american food that acknowledges and appreciates the contributions of our ancestors.
Tonya Hopkins’s primary focus is on discovering and sharing inclusive American food and drink history narratives via a range of mediums and locations: live presentations, on-air television and radio appearances, public panel discussions. She has moderated and facilitated culinary conversations, as well as food and drink pairings, events and dinners.
Hopkins is the co-founder of the James Hemings Foundation, a nonprofit culinary arts and education organization inspired by its namesake, the enslaved man who became America’s first classically trained Chef de Cuisine, in France, at the behest of his owner, Thomas Jefferson. JHF is leading the charge to remember, uphold and continue black culinary contributions to the creation of iconic American cookery, brewing and distillation. JHF is dedicated to educating and informing the public on the profound and prolific impact of African American foodways nationwide and globally. We endeavor to reverse the historical omissions of the black chefs, cooks, caterers, farmers, brewmasters, distillers, etc. who were the foundation of professional cookery and fine dining throughout America. With chef Hemings life’s work and legacy as a portal, JHF honors an inclusive American culinary history and James’s legacy in particular while also showcasing and supporting the brilliant work of today’s contemporary African American chefs/caterers/cooks, bartenders/brewers/distillers, food historians, writers, culinary curators, etc.
