African American Culinary Heritage Series

This 4 week series is designed to honor and explore the history of African American culinary traditions. The curriculum is intended to inspire and empower healthful eating for the purpose of preventing and arresting chronic disease disproportionately affecting African Americans by connecting to culturally relevant recipes. The series recognizes the ancestral ties of West African foodways that were brought to the United States through the Middle Passage and the culinary traditions, such as soul food, developed by African Americans throughout their history in the United States. Classes will also help participants seeking to prevent or overcome high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other health conditions that disproportionately affect African Americans.

Each class features a cooking demonstration of delicious, health-promoting dishes, along with handouts of easy and affordable recipes participants can prepare at home. For in-person class, receive yummy food samples! Dr. Robert Gillespie will be featured as the guest speaker.

We’d love for you to join the full class series for the best experience but we understand it doesn’t work for everyone’s schedule. Upon registration, please select the classes you can make. The in-person classes are limited to 20 people so please register to save your seat. Address/directions provided upon registration.

Class 1 - The Power of Your Plate: Sat, April 26th - 10:00 am - 11:30 am @ Sharp Memorial Auditorium Menu: Old fashion creamy grits, breakfast tofu scramble and sunrise biscuits  

Class 2 - Foods for a Healthy Heart: Sat, May 3rd - 10:00 am - 11:30 am @ ZOOM online Menu: Western trail stew, easy peach cobbler 

Class 3 - How Foods Fight Diabetes: Sat, May 10th - 10:00 am - 11:30 am @ ZOOM online Menu: Braised collard greens, southern black eye peas, toasted brown rice, cornbread 

Class 4 - How Foods Fight Cancer: Sat, May 17th - 10:00 am - 11:30 am @ Sharp Spectrum Center Menu: Basic potato salad, baked beans, BBQ style portobellos, watermelon strawberry smoothie