Any carnivore asking “where’s the beef?” on this day will receive some satisfying answers!… The obvious tie that binds today’s two food holidays is that they’re both beef. And wow does beef have some significant under-taught and therefore barely known history. Hint: it’s connected to America’s African heritage (as in the people brought to be the backbone of American foodways systems and the undergirding of their skills and applied knowledge — like the Fulani herding techniques that were essential in establishing a successful cattle industry in America)…Then there’s the whole big part of how Black culinary professionals were the most highly skilled “cooks of the nation” for centuries , flippin’ more burghers than anybody for countless decades and came up with some of the most amazing (uncredited) delicious burger making techniques and topping combos. Living legend Chef Jacques Pepin has referenced this when reflecting on his early days working at Howard Johnsons and comments about it in the docu film we are both in: “James Hemings, Ghost in America’s Kitchen”.
It’s my hopeful theory that if we all knew all that our ancestors collectively brought to this great big (and delicious) American dining table (and oft not easily —but instead with great exertion ) maybe just maybe we’d be a whole lot more grateful (for them, and for the rich heritages we each inherit, share and enjoy…)
Anyway: Hooray! It’s National Hamburger 🍔 Day……And May is Hamburger Month…(& there’s also apparently a ‘Burger Day which falls on August 22nd in 2024 FYI)
I assembled the best burger beauty shots i could find taken on my phone over time for this carousel lineup (I hope you can read the informative captions on whichever device you’re on + there are accessible hyperlinks too…). And as ya’ll can see, good quality (and yes “blingy”) burgers are a big ‘food boo’ of mine. Mostly beef in this line up but also a few plant based burger cameos too:
[all original photos by T. Hopkins “The Food Griot” ]
It’s National Brisket Day Too!…
For a much meatier version of the above-mentioned “missing American history” (+ 🍹🍷🍺🥤BEVERAGE PAIRING ideas!) , become a sustaining TFG PATREON SUPPORTER at any level or amount . Joining as a supporter not only supports my work which I can’t continue without sufficient means but also ensures that you’ll stay informed of all the savory (& sometimes sweet) small bits and big juicy bites of hearty info I seek out and serve up. AND as a TFG PATREON supporter you also get direct access to me for answers to your specific questions and culinary curiosities. If you're already a Patreon Supporter THANK YOU and pls do utilize your TFG Patreon perks ...…