Many people know the origins of soul food now. It was what enslaved people were given as scraps after slave owners had their meals, and our ancestors did their best to make do and they did.
Today we have variations of amazing food recipes that date all the way back to those perilous times that have been passed on throughout the generations.
Unfortunately, Black people have received no recognition for our contributions to the culinary community. On the bright side, there are now many Black chefs and preservationists that keep traditions going and continue to add to our powerful history.
On May 26, Netflix released High on the Hog: How Arfican American Cuisine Transformed America, a book by Jesica B. Harri who is a culinary historian. The trailer appears to tell the story of the legacy of soul food and the heavy impact it has had on American cuisine.
There are many amazing chefs on the show that show a variety of delicacies, but two that really stood out were Jerelle Guy and Gabrielle Etienne Carter.
Jerelle Guy is the author of Black Girl Baking, which is a cookbook of soul food recipes that include vegan and gluten-free options!
She is also the founder of Chocolate for Basil. On her Instagram you can see a delicious looking layout of her recipes ranging from olive oil bundt cake with beet swirl to cantaloupe ginger agua frescas (a spicy, sweet drink).
Recently, she was nominated for a James Beard Award from the James Beard Foundation, which is a Black owned foundation that supports chefs that contribute to diversity and sustainability within the culinary community. Jerelle’s book can be found online at Amazon.com in the paperback or Kindle version.
She dispels the stereotypes surrounding soul food and not only sheds light on great recipes, but offers them in a healthy way (while keeping the flavor)!
Gabrielle Eitienne Carter is not only a cook, but a farmer. She actively participates with an organization called Tall Grass Food Box, which is an organization that supports Black farmers and sustainability. Here is a piece from their About Us page that gives a brief overview of the organization and their community work:
“Tall Grass Food Box is a platform to support and encourage the sustainability of Black farmers, by increasing their visibility and securing space for them in the local marketplace. In a time where small businesses have become even more vulnerable, it is important that we double down in our support of Black farmers. In this vein, we seek to build a capacity for self-determination within our local food systems.
Every other week we will pull together fresh produce from Black Farmers across NC and put it together in a box for you to pick up. Each box has enough to feed 1-2 people or an individual who cooks more 3 or more times a week. Check back frequently to see how our offering may change week to week.”
There are different subscription rates depending upon the needs and wants of the person.
On Gabrielle’s Instagram, you will find pictures of her farming endeavors as well as fantastic meals that she makes.
She recently participated in the Oxford America Spring 2021 Food Issue, and discussed Black land ownership and seed saving.
Black chefs and farmers are important to the Black community and to America. Support these two amazing women and their endeavors, as you can buy Jerelle’s cookbook or donate to Tall Grass Food box and other causes Gabrielle supports.
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