Foodways Lectures, Workshops, & Symposia » New York Botanical Garden

Foodways—the cultural, historical, and social traditions that surround food—provide context for what we eat, how it gets to us, who prepares it, and who is at the table.

As foodways are central to understanding the experience of immigrants, Indigenous peoples, and descendants of the African Diaspora, food can help us reclaim a sense of identity and kinship—especially when languages or cultural traditions have been prohibited and erased.

The initiative includes the Food Dialogues, Foodways Workshops and an annual spring symposium.

Nahua Recipes Rediscovered: Native Mexican Culinary Celebration

November 18, 2022; 2:30 p.m., Edible Academy

Chef Irwin Sánchez will be giving a culinary demonstration and discussing the close connection between age-old Mexican culinary traditions and the Nahuatl language. The workshop will focus on the importance of Indigenous food and languages as a means of resistance and cultural reclamation.

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A bowl of steaming hot soup garnished with squash blossoms and green herbs

Private Screening: Rhythms of the Land with Gail Myers and Jessica B. Harris

November 12; 11 a.m., Ross Hall

Rhythms of the Land is a valentine to generations of Black farmers in the United States from the enslavement period to the present, whose intense love of the land and dedication to community enabled them to survive against overwhelming odds. Following the screening, filmmaker Gail Myers joins Jessica B. Harris for a fireside Q&A.

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Face of person with outline of Africa in cheek with blue headband and black and blue hair.

Fire Cider Workshop

October 22; 12–3 p.m.
Taqwa Community Farm; 90 W 164th St., Bronx, NY 10452

Fire cider—an herbal tonic—is a traditional remedy that stimulates digestion and supports respiratory wellness. We will be using accessible household ingredients to make this warming remedy.

Register

A collection of fruits, honey, and other ingredients steeping in jars

The Food Dialogues

This series brings together prominent authors, chefs, and historians for important conversations that re-examine our notions of culture and identity through food.

The series moderator is Dr. Jessica B. Harris, America’s leading expert on the food traditions of the African Diaspora. Her 12th book, High on the Hog: A Culinary Journey from Africa to America, has inspired a new Netﬂix series.

Carla Hall & Tonya Hopkins Watch

Michael Twitty & JJ Johnson Watch

Von Diaz & Maricel Presilla Watch

Matthew Raiford & Dr. Jessica B. Harris Watch

Foodways Workshops

In parallel with the Food Dialogues, Foodways Workshops explore the food and drink traditions of particular Bronx communities.

Jamaican Root Tonics in New York City Watch

From Seeds to Take-Out Watch

Garifuna Plant Knowledge, Past, & Present Watch

Afro-Indigenous Histories of Food and Gardening in the Bronx Watch

A Seat at the Table Symposium

With Natalie Baszile, Dr. Jessica B. Harris, Gail Myers, Matthew Raiford, Karen Washington and Kadeesha Williams

Two compelling sessions that explore how Black farming informs American history and culture in New York City and across the country.

Two compelling sessions on African American farmers explore how Black farming informs our history and culture—across America and here in New York. A Seat at the Table reflects the long and ongoing struggle by Black farmers to acquire and keep their farms, and regain their rightful place in America’s farming history.

Watch

A farm with greenhouse and red shed on it

View past Humanities Lectures & Symposia Recordings

Generous support provided by Mellon Foundation