WrenegadeNov 30, 2022
Kris Vera-Phillips☑️ (she/her)

“.. the omission of Thomas Jefferson’s enslaved chef, James Hemings, who was the mastermind behind many of America’s favorite dishes including macaroni and cheese. His erasure is part of a theme that’s permeated written history itself.”

📝 by Joseph Lamour

#food #history #slavery
https://www.today.com/food/people/james-hemings-mac-and-cheese-enslaved-chef-thomas-jefferson-rcna58226

James Hemings: The Enslaved Chef of Thomas Jefferson Who Created Mac and Cheese

Thomas Jefferson's enslaved chef James Hemings was the mastermind behind many of America’s favorite dishes, including macaroni and cheese, a dish Jefferson took credit for.

TODAY
Nov 25, 2022 at 2:34pmWeb
Show threadVelkyAlDec 1, 2022

@queenkv you could say the same about his brother Peter who was the brewer at Monticello, yet somehow a homespun image of Jefferson as a homebrewer has become canon.

http://www.fuggled.net/2017/04/the-brewers-of-monticello.html

The Brewers of Monticello

a blog about beer, pubs and homebrewing. Based in Charlottesville but with a view of the world.

Show threadVelkyAlDec 1, 2022
@queenkv full disclosure, there are plenty of word choices in this article I would change today.
Show threadKris Vera-Phillips☑️ (she/her)Dec 3, 2022

@velkyal Thank you for sharing! This reminds me of a fantastic Sporkful podcast on Jack Daniels:

"The Enslaved Man Who Taught Jack Daniel To Make Whiskey"

https://www.sporkful.com/enslaved-man-jack-daniel-whiskey-nearest-green/

The Enslaved Man Who Taught Jack Daniel To Make Whiskey

One woman's quest to share the story of Nathan

Show threadBert LatamoreDec 1, 2022
@queenkv I did not know that JamesHemmingsincented Mac and cheese.i did know his story, but not that.
Show threadJohn DarkDec 1, 2022
@queenkv Fascinating read, thanks!
Show threadDB SchweinDec 1, 2022
@queenkv
I didn't know this story.
I absolutely *love* the bravery as a free man to say no to a command, even if it was to do something that he likely would have enjoyed.
Show threadrobkeysDec 1, 2022
@queenkv you might enjoy the following:
https://youtu.be/jHqsYyOwGxA
James Hemings and the Birth of American Haute Cuisine

YouTube
Show threadKris Vera-Phillips☑️ (she/her)Dec 3, 2022
@robkeys Yes! This documentary is in my queue. Thank you for sharing.
Show threadsoniafockeDec 1, 2022
@queenkv I am curious about the macaroni & cheese thing. Did he put his own spin on it? Make it so often and/or so well that it became the fashion of the new American elite?
Bc The Forme of Cury from ca. 1390 has a macaroni and cheese recipe. (Obviously the macarounes there were not shaped like our modern ones, but they were a cut & boiled dough. It also has a meatless lasagne.)
Show threada hivemind of packbatsDec 1, 2022
⬆️ US food history & racism therein