Exciting news -- Food Network created special content from episodes of “The Kwanzaa Menu” I hosted that ran on air this year on the Food Network channel!
Read MoreEatOkra, an app named for this food staple, connects 500,000 foodies to chefs, culinary creators and restaurants. Anthony and Janique Edwards, the creators of EatOkra, have set out to develop a Black-owned food ecosystem. Hopkins, known as “The Food Griot” on social media, co-founded the James Hemings Society, an organization named after Thomas Jefferson's enslaved chef who became the first American to train as a chef in France.
Her work as a culinary history consultant sheds light on the timeless Black culinary talents
Read MoreYou won’t want to miss this! On Saturday 11/11 aka Veteran’s Day (formerly known as REMEMBRANCE DAY join me & a brilliant line up of culinary & history colleagues from 5:30 -8:30pm for a fabulous event featuring artisan foods, an award-winning film screening+filmmaker and amazing drink brought to you by Eléctrico Mezcal Artesanal! About REMEMBRANCE FESTIVAL: Food & Public History Advisor to The Old Stone House (OSH),Tonya Hopkins, aka The Food Griot, hosts this onsite event for drinks and small plates in recognition of the global season of Remembrance. On Sat 11/11/23 which is Veterans Day (formerly known as Remembrance Day) join us as we explore historical, cultural and traditional “Days of Remembrance” that take place around the globe during the Autumn season. …
Read MoreCelebrate The Season of Remembrance! Spirited Storytelling + Flavorful Food, Drink, History & Cultural Connections: Strolling & Sampling Through The Slope…
Read More“We Rise By Lifting Others!” so Let’s Rise Up to that Challenge b/c Bonbon Lakay Needs (Y)OUR Support Now More Than Ever. Check out their Pay It Forward initiative for win-win ways to help not only this wonderful specialty foods shop but also the many communities it benefits beyond just the neighborhood where it’s based…
Read MoreThe Sidecar was my signature drink once upon a time — the ‘Hennessy Sidecar’ to be precise — back when that category-leading cognac was instrumental in helping revitalize trendy Americans interest in rediscovering (and more importantly consuming) “classic cocktails”. Hennessy was also the main account I was assigned to at the then-called Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners / KB&P (advertising agency) in the late 90’s early 2000’s….
Read More“I think I might have been the only African American person here, and that’s not unusual,” said Tonya Hopkins, a food writer and TV personality known as the Food Griot.
Read MoreBlack / African-American music has had the most profound impact on music the world over. With that in mind, last June (Black Music Month) on my weekly radio show “Savory & Sweet…” I featured my brilliant wine work colleague/co-worker “AK” — aka Akinsheye Brunson, who shared how Hip Hop helped him carve out a career path in the wine world, and how music & wine connects us to ourselves — and to each other.
Read MoreNo matter anyway, seeing as I opted in for #GINuary instead — which inspired me to make the delish drink you see here: A creatively, naturally colored, cocktail I came up with using DU NORD's Prominence Gin — as the ‘prominent' ingredient .
Read MoreIt’s high time people know about Chef James Hemings (1765-1801), the talented, enslaved chef owned by Thomas Jefferson. Hemings’ enduring impact on popular American eats and the development of high-end cookery and restaurant dining in this country has been all but eclipsed by Jefferson’s prominence.
Read MoreLike the carrot cake, this was inhaled and the bottle empty by the end of the night. Culinary historian Tonya Hopkins was at my house watching the enthusiasm for it; she suggests mixing the whiskey with grape juice or rosé to make a spirited version of PB&J.
Read MoreThe Kwanzaa Menu is hosted by Tonya Hopkins aka The Food Griot and features delicious “Afro-futuristic” recipes she created to share for celebrating the principles of the holiday…
Read MoreTonya Hopkins, aka “The Food Griot,” is a show host, legacy cook, drink designer, culinary history consultant and now host of new series, The Kwanzaa Menu, premiering Monday, Dec. 26 on FoodNetwork.com.
Read MoreFood Network is getting into the holiday spirit with its first Kwanzaa series, set to highlight the food and history of the annual seven-day celebration.
Read MoreBlack culinary innovators have brought us the likes of the ice cream scooper, fruit juicer, keg tapper and many more with the foundation of the American food and beverage industry coming from the “brawn and brilliance” of Black Americans, culinary historian and WURD Radio host Tonya Hopkins a.k.a The Food Griot, told The Plug.
Read MoreOn this week’s episode of Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio, they’re diving into the foods of summer.
Read MoreWe recently shared the fascinating story behind pepper pot soup on our Foodizen podcast. The soup was consumed by millions of Americans throughout the 20th century, but its history…
Read MoreWatch and enjoy James Hemings Society founder, Chef Ashbell Mcelveen's historical talk & old-fashioned ice cream making demo (at the Free Library of Philadelphia Culinary Literacy Center…
Read MoreFinally sharing this fab article written earlier this year by lifestyle journalist and author, Maria Hunt and featuring some of my "coolest" (get it?) culinary history work: "3 Black Pioneers Who Made…
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