The Forgotten Chefs: How Enslaved People Built America’s Cuisine

You probably know Thomas Jefferson. But have you heard of James Hemings, the forgotten chef who trained in Paris? He helped popularize macaroni and cheese in America, and negotiated his own freedom. His story is just one of many hidden behind the foods we love like Southern barbecue and Caribbean foods. Discover the forgotten chefs whose influence still shapes the way we eat today.

The Dark, Bittersweet History of Sugar

Many beloved American dishes trace their roots to African influence, agricultural expertise and culinary traditions, influences that have often gone unrecognized despite traveling across the Atlantic centuries ago. Acknowledging these contributions helps tell a fuller, more accurate story of the American table today.

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