By: Tonya Hopkins aka The Food Griot: “Sharing Savory Stories on the Makings of America’s Cuisines”…
Mardis Gras is on March 4th This Year (2025) …
Last year Mardi Gras (2024) took place on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 . The date changes each year because for whatever semi-complicated reason (involving 40-day Lent math), Mardis Gras is always exactly 47 days before … [READ THE FULL VERSION OF THIS POST ON MY PATREON PLATFORM. YOU CAN JOIN FOR FREE OR FOR AN AFFORDABLE LEVEL (E.G. as low as $3 / month) in support of my work as an independent scholar. thank you]
On the FOOD FRONT: for Mardis Gras …
While several cities in and outside of the US celebrate Mardis Gras, New Orleans in Louisiana, USA takes the king cake (get it?! — get a glimpse of one in the photo gallery below…) …And the foods of New Orleans are pretty famous the world over too… my Patreon peeps can get the skinny on the whole CREOLE vs. CAJUN confusion plus classic examples of what each of those culinary cultures contributes to N.O. cuisine…. In the meantime, here’s a handful of highlights re: two of my fave classic dishes connected to New Orleans & Mardis Gras: gumbo 🧑🏾🍳🥘and red beans & rice 🫘 🍚:
I used to make a mean (as in AMAZING…) gumbo (a la Moms Myrt!) … [READ THE FULL VERSION OF THIS POST ON MY PATREON PLATFORM for more on these dreamy dishes and then some. YOU CAN JOIN FOR FREE OR CHOOSE AN AFFORDABLE LEVEL in support of my work as an independent scholar, thanks!]
Mardis Gras might change every year but March 4th is also always POUND CAKE DAY each year!…
Some holiday traditions are meticulously planned while also still allowing for a little cosmic flexibility—like how my play cousins/sisters-from-another-Mrs-and-Mister, Lisa and Lori, had been unknowingly upholding one of the greatest (and most delicious!) American dessert traditions: Black women throughout America making exceptional pound cake * for special occasions — generation after generation….
Every year, no matter what state we all call home, we gather in Indiana for Thanksgiving, and Lisa’s legendary pound cake is part of the non-negotiables. And the year Lisa wasn’t there? Lori stepped up and held it down, proving that this family recipe—and this semi-sacred tradition—was in very capable hands. That golden, buttery, rich slice of perfection isn’t just dessert; it’s a legacy on a plate…
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AND FOR SNACK FOODS DAY:
Potato chips have consistently held top spot as the #1 snack food in America (in sales, popularity, AND frequency of consumption according to various industry reports and market analyses), and have been consistently for quite some time.
Brands like Lay’s dominate this salty, crunchy & sometimes oily snack category, contributing to potato chips’ enduring popularity. Other strong contenders for “top snack” status include popcorn and pretzels, but at the end of the day when it comes to sheer sales and broad appeal, potato chips reign supreme.
No surprise I love shining a light on the often-overlooked impact of Black Americans on the American snack industry. From the ingenuity of George Crum, whose invention of the potato chip in the 1850s revolutionized snacking, and those who kick-started the peanut-candy bar craze, our influence runs deep. And let’s not forget the profound contributions of Indigenous peoples, whose cultivation of corn made iconic snacks like popcorn and tortilla chips possible. The history of American snacking is a rich tapestry woven with cultural ingenuity and flavor, reminding us that every crunch carries a story worth savoring. Join my PATREON for more savory scoop and a special zoom-in on the role of cultural specificity in snack food flavor options.
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THIS LINK takes you back to the TFG Culinary & Cultural calendar to explore more food & drink ‘holidays’