James Hemings: A Founding Father of American Cuisine
Black people have always been said to be able to make do with the scraps. Due to enslavement, a common belief is that we can “make something out of nothing.” Though there may be some truth to that statement, black Americans have contributed greatly to weaving the fabric of America, including the culinary world. James Hemings: Ghost in America’s Kitchen explores the life of James Hemings a black chef born into slavery in 1765. In a time when black people were seen as property, the Ghost in America’s Kitchen sets out to “recognize there was a group of people who performed at a very high level,” says Tonya Hopkins, Food Historian.
Hemings was brother-in-law to Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States. Jefferson married Martha Wayles in 1772. Hemings was inherited by Martha after the death of her father John Wayles. Born the son of an enslaved woman, Elizabeth Hemings, and John Wayles, Hemings was Martha’s half-brother.
As a teenager Hemings was Jefferson’s personal attendant. Hemings’ career as a chef began with a trip to France when he was summoned by Jefferson. His studies of the culinary arts led him to become the head chef at Jefferson’s residence, also known as the American embassy. While in France Hemings became literate in the French language. According to French chef Jacques Pépin, it was “amazing for him to make the complexity of the food, and [run] the team in the kitchen, in that little amount of time, in another language.”
“There is a lost generation of African American chefs, and the nation’s cuisine is the poorer for it.”
The Apprentice: My Life in the Kitchen
By Jacques Pépin
In the late 1700’s Philadelphia was the capital of the United States. During this time Hemings traveled back to America with Jefferson, and his team of black chefs, bringing fine dining along with them to Philadelphia. In his capacity as head chef, Hemings cooked for everyone from the President to international diplomatic visitors. Though he continued to cook for Jefferson, through the abolition of slavery in Philadelphia, Hemings was able to negotiate his freedom. Jefferson required Hemings to teach a person of Jefferson’s choosing to be “a good cook” before he could be free.
The James Hemings Society
Today the James Hemings Society, founded by Chef Ashbell McElveen, is “dedicated to serving, unearthing, and illuminating the significant contributions of James Hemings; along with countless under-acknowledged food and drink professionals of African descent throughout American history.” Chef Ashbell comes from a family of cooks, including his mother, an executive chef. He spent 10 years living in France, and 15 years in the UK where he opened his own restaurant.
As we watch the story of Hemings unfold in Ghost in America’s Kitchen, we walk along with Chef Ashbell’s journey as well on his path to discovering the history of Hemings. As Chef Ashbell’s eyes are opened to Hemings’ impact on America’s culinary history, we hear from culinary historians, authors, and celebrity chefs, like Toni Tipton- Martin, Heather Johnston, Glenn Ellis, and Adrian Miller.
“Before I met the director Anthony Werhun, I had been at Chateau Chantilly, where James Hemings trained to be a master chef de cuisine.” In the documentary, Chef McElveen describes a time at the Beard house where he did a tribute to Jefferson and the ‘Africans that worked in his kitchen’. At this time he was not aware of the history of James Hemings, he only heard, what he thought was a rumor at the time, that one of Jefferson’s brothers accompanied him to France to become a chef. Later he describes feeling a connection to Hemings, as a spiritual encounter, and he is not alone. Michael Twitty recounts a similar experience, defining food as “something that provides a communication, a mystical experience, between the living, the dead, and those yet to be born.”
Hemings is said to have introduced or heavily influenced Americans’ current-day preparation of ice cream, macaroni and cheese, whipped cream, crème brûlée, and French fries. Thérèse Nelson, Founder BlackCulinaryhistory.com adds that “you can’t tell honest stories about American foodways without telling the black culinary parts of it.”
There is a greater history many of us have yet to explore, a greater culinary history of America, and the Ghost in America’s kitchen gives us a starting point to begin that exploration toward awareness and appreciation of black culinarians’ contribution to American cuisine.
The James Hemings: Ghost in America’s Kitchen documentary is available to watch now through Amazon Prime Video.
Discover more from Flights and Foods
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
4,576 Comments
raja botak
I dugg some of you post as I thought they were handy very beneficial
vps free
I consider something really special in this web site.
densustoto
I like what you guys are up too. Such intelligent work and reporting! Carry on the superb works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my web site 🙂
bandar toto
I am now not certain the place you’re getting your information, however good topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for excellent information I was on the lookout for this info for my mission.
raja botak
I like this site so much, saved to my bookmarks. “Respect for the fragility and importance of an individual life is still the mark of an educated man.” by Norman Cousins.
densustoto
Some truly wonderful work on behalf of the owner of this web site, absolutely outstanding subject matter.
free vps
What i do not understood is if truth be told how you’re no longer actually a lot more well-preferred than you may be right now. You’re very intelligent. You already know thus considerably relating to this matter, made me individually imagine it from a lot of varied angles. Its like women and men aren’t interested unless it is one thing to do with Woman gaga! Your own stuffs great. Always maintain it up!
pembuatan pt murah
Very interesting info!Perfect just what I was searching for!
situs toto macau
There are definitely loads of details like that to take into consideration. That is a nice level to bring up. I provide the ideas above as basic inspiration however clearly there are questions just like the one you convey up the place an important factor can be working in sincere good faith. I don?t know if finest practices have emerged round things like that, but I am sure that your job is clearly recognized as a good game. Both girls and boys really feel the impact of only a moment’s pleasure, for the rest of their lives.
profesionales cualificados
fantastic issues altogether, you just gained a new reader. What might you suggest about your submit that you simply made a few days in the past? Any sure?
wbo777
Somebody essentially lend a hand to make critically articles I’d state. This is the very first time I frequented your website page and up to now? I surprised with the analysis you made to create this particular publish extraordinary. Wonderful process!
wbo777
I conceive this internet site contains some real superb information for everyone. “A sense of share is not a bad moral compass.” by Colin.
wbo777
Hi there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!
Daring Headlines Digest - Bohiney.com
The satirist’s mission is making democracy’s medicine taste good enough that people want seconds. — Alan @ Bohiney.com
paket medical check up lengkap
You are my inspiration , I have few blogs and sometimes run out from to post .
macau
I have been reading out many of your stories and i can claim clever stuff. I will definitely bookmark your blog.
wbo777
I love assembling useful info, this post has got me even more info! .
toto macau online
Can I just say what a relief to find someone who actually knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people need to read this and understand this side of the story. I cant believe youre not more popular because you definitely have the gift.
prediksi macau
I like what you guys are up also. Such intelligent work and reporting! Carry on the excellent works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my web site :).
slot gacor
I got what you mean , thanks for putting up.Woh I am pleased to find this website through google. “It is a very hard undertaking to seek to please everybody.” by Publilius Syrus.