JUNE 17 6:30 P.M. Talk: Juneteenth Culinary Traditions with Dr. Jessica Harris and Scott Alves Barton

A conversation with James Beard Award winner Dr. Jessica B. Harris and professor Scott Alves Barton on the significance of Juneteenth foods

25 11th Ave, New York, NY 10011, USA

Red drinks, tea cakes, collard greens, and cornbread—what are the traditional foods eaten on Juneteenth and how did they originate? Join author, historian, and the preeminent scholar of the foods and foodways of the African Diaspora, Dr. Jessica B. Harris, in conversation with Food Studies professor and historian Scott Barton for a discussion examining the history and context of the culinary traditions of Juneteenth, the holiday honoring the day Texans were informed that enslaved people were finally free.

Beverages generously provided by Soba Hibiscus

About Dr. Jessica B. Harris:

Educator and culinary historian Jessica Harris is the author of 15 books documenting the foods and foodways of the African Diaspora, including High on the Hog: A Culinary Journey from Africa to America. She has written extensively about the culture of Africa in the Americas, lectured widely, and made numerous television appearances. Jessica holds a Ph.D. from New York University and is an English professor at Queens College, CUNY. Harris is a founding member of the Southern Foodways Alliance, and a member of the IACP and Les Dames d’Escoffier. In 2004, Harris was awarded the Jack Daniel’s Lifetime Achievement Award and most recently she was named the James Beard Foundation 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award winner.

About Scott Alves Barton:

Scott Barton holds a PhD in Food Studies from New York University and is a faculty fellow in Race and Resilience at The University of Notre Dame. He had a 25-year career as an executive chef and culinary educator and was named one of the top 25 African American/Diaspora chefs by Ebony Magazine. His research focuses on the intersection of secular and sacred cuisine as a marker of ethnic/cultural identity in Northeastern Brazil.

Tickets to events held at Platform at Pier 57 by the James Beard Foundation cover the cost of food, education and a unique dining experience. Meals are prepared by culinary masters from all regions of the United States and around the world. Unless otherwise stated, alcoholic beverages are provided on a complimentary basis and are not included in the ticket price.

Event Policy

Alcohol Disclaimer:

James Beard Foundation events permit guests age 21 years and older to attend events where alcoholic beverages are served. Tickets to events held at Platform at Pier 57 by the James Beard Foundation cover the cost of food, education and a unique dining experience. Meals are prepared by culinary masters from all regions of the United States and around the world. Unless otherwise stated, alcoholic beverages are provided on a complimentary basis and are not included in the ticket price. 

Dietary/Food Restrictions Policy:

Events at Platform by JBF are special one-night-only menus and we do not offer a la carte menus. If you have serious food allergies, we will work with the visiting chef team to do our best to accommodate but cannot guarantee that alternate options will be available for every course.