2020 Event Schedule
Thursday, October 15, 22, 29 + Saturday, november 7
Thursday Sessions
October 15, 22, + 29, 2020 • 7 pm
Ribbons of Okra:
The Black Cooks of the Federal Era
Thursday, October 15, 7:00 PM
Charlottesville’s Dr. Leni Sorensen will share some of her life’s work with moderator Duron Chavis during this session — what she has gleaned through cooking the recipes of enslaved and free cooks of the early 1800s. Watch her demo a divine beef and okra stew recipe from “The Virginia House-wife” as we learn about this era, and see the VMHC’s 1824 copy of “The Virginia House-wife: Method is the Soul of Management.”
Optional add-on: Purchase Mary Randolph’s Okra Stew from Kitchenette, available for pick-up at the VMHC on Wednesday, October 14. Details will be sent to ticket holders.
It’s Illegal to Grow in Europe, But Its Roots Are in Richmond
Thursday, October 22, 7:00 PM
Author Todd Kliman revisits the tale of Richmond’s Daniel Norton, who 200 years ago cultivated what is considered the first true American grape in his Carver neighborhood backyard. Who grows it in Virginia? And what’s next for the Norton story? Kliman will be joined by moderator and Master Sommelier Robert Jones.
Optional add-on: Purchase a bottle of Norton from a local retailer. Retail list will be sent to ticket holders.
Tending the Fire
Thursday, October 29, 7:00 PM
Black pitmasters and their rich traditions have been eclipsed by history, and scholar Adrian Miller has spent years traveling the country, interviewing, and collecting research for his upcoming book, “Black Smoke.” Richmond was one of his research field trips last year. The session will be moderated by Southern Grit’s Debra Freeman.
Optional add-on: Purchase barbecue from Lamont Hawkins of Inner City Blues, available for pick-up at the VMHC on Thursday, Oct. 29. Details will be sent to ticket holders.
Saturday Sessions: Food U
November, 7, 2020 • 10 am-5 pm
Session One: Vivian Howard of “Somewhere South” and “A Chef’s Life” Talks “This Will Make It Taste Good,” her new second book
Interviewed by Thérèse Nelson
Optional add-on: Vivian’s new book, “This Will Make It Taste Good” and exclusive access to On-Site Drive-Through Book Signing with Vivian Howard PLUS Vivian’s Special To-Go Snack Pack. Book, snack pack, and drive-through decal, $40. (Must present a Fire, Flour & Fork Drive-Thru Decal to timed access to Drive-Thru Book Signing.)
Session Two: Pastry for Progress: 2020’s Bakers Against Racism Founder and Pastry Chef Paola Velez
Live baking demo and talk / Interviewed by Samantha Willis
Optional add-on: Bakers Against Racism RVA has created 50 mini Bakers Against Racism boxes, available for pick-up on Friday, Nov. 6 at the VMHC for $15 each, with net proceeds benefiting Nolefturns. Details will be sent to ticket holders.
Session Three: Finding Truth Through Food
Moderated discussion
Moderated discussion with Lisa Donovan, chef and author of “Our Lady of Perpetual Hunger,” Phyllis Grant, author of “Everything is Under Control,” and Regina Boone, photojournalist for the Richmond Free Press and author of an upcoming book about her grandparents’ restaurant and her journey to find out what happened to her grandfather after he was placed in a WWII internment camp.