August 25th "Reclaiming Watermelon Picnic" at Lefferts Historic House in Prospect Park (2:00-6:30 PM)
Join me, Tonya Hopkins aka The Food Griot in conjunction with the Prospect Park Alliance and the New Negro Republic Lineage Society for a "Reclaiming Watermelon Picnic" at the Lefferts Historic House lawn on Sunday August 25th from 2pm - 6pm. Come groove to great music, learn (and taste!) bits and pieces about the incredible (oft untold) history of watermelon: its significant role in both world and American history; why and how Black Americans are beginning to reclaim the amazing fruit (psychologically, emotionally, economically…) in spite of centuries of painfully humiliating but powerful propaganda that resulted in generations of disassociation.
Come sample delicious heritage varieties the world’s most hydrating fruit 🍉 that originated in central Africa and arrived to the Americas via the transatlantic slave trade — with enslaved (and later emancipated) African heritage people who were the foremost cultivators, stewards and purveyors of what would ultimately become this nation’s most iconic symbol of Summer in fruit form: Watermelon.
Bring snacks, outdoor blankets & chairs! …
Sat Aug 17th Brooklyn. Black. Utopia “ASHÉ Ancestral Dinner” 7-9pm (rescheduled & relocated from Aug 3rd)
On Saturday August 17th Brooklyn. Black. Utopia. (via @GROWHOUSEBK ) is hosting an “ASHÉ Ancestral Dinner” (6-9pm) [NEW LOCATION DETAILS FORTHCOMING]. (Note that there now. will be no Ancestral Dinner taking place on August 3rd nor the 10th dates at the burial ground site — see more info below re: August 10th) …
I invite you to snag a $44 , $66 or $88 ticket soon for the extra special August 17th family-style dinner co-curated by GrowHouse NYC, Kit an' Kin, and Pelah Kitchen with Yours Truly / me / aka The Food Griot on the host committee and I will also be sharing ‘Food for THought’ on the ancient African-centerd and Diasporic wisdom woven into the menu design, the dishes and the drinks served at the dinner event.
Stay tuned for the new EVENTBRITE LINK that will provide an event description, registration and link to purchase tickets to the dinner…
Check out this expertly curated, culturally-rooted mouthwatering menu for the Ashé Ancestral Dinner on Sat August 17th:
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RELATED EVENT: On Sat August 10th, Brooklyn. Black. Utopia. via GrowHouse NYC (Est. Brooklyn 2017) is hosting a very special event about “reclaiming Black spaces and honoring our ancestors while imagining new futures together”. This all day event (2-6pm) takes place at the Flatbush African Burial Ground (Flatbush at Church Ave). (Note that the Ancestral Dinner is now on August 17th at a new location and NOT taking place on August 3rd nor the 10th ) Here’s an overview at a glance:
About this event
Come join Brooklyn. Black. Utopia. on Sat Aug 10th 2024 at 2:00 PM at the Flatbush African Burial Ground for a day of celebration and empowerment. This event is a gathering of the Black community in Brooklyn to honor history, culture, and resilience.
Experience a day filled with music, art making, panel discussions, and more. Connect with fellow community members and celebrate the beauty and strength of Black culture.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to come together and create a vision of a better future for our community. Let's build our own Utopia right here in Brooklyn. See you there!
Organized by: GrowHouse Community Design + Development Group
James Hemings Tribute Dinner Celebrating BLACK CULINARY EXCELLENCE In Europe...
SATURDAY 27 JULY • AFRO-AMERICAN WEEKEND • PARIS SUMMER OLYMPICS
Details forthcoming on ways to participate or attend, stay tuned!…
Save the Date for TFG's Public Food History Talk / Lecture on June 26th at OWG
Save the Date for TFG's Public Food History Talk / Lecture on June 26th at OWG
A TFG Talk on: Monday June 17th at BPL on Celebration Foods for Juneteenth!
An Upcoming Talk in real life: Celebration Foods for Juneteenth ❣️
Date: Mon, Jun 17 202
Time: 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Address: 10 Grand Army Plaza , Brooklyn, NY 11238 Get Directions
Location: Central Library, Trustees Room
Taking place at The Brooklyn Public Library’s main branch at Grand Army Plaza, upstairs in the Trustees Room on the 3rd floor. [So you know you’re in the right spot: The Trustees Room is a distinguished, wood-paneled room with sturdy wood chairs with a view from the windows that look out over the Plaza….]
Join me and BPL for an evening of seasonal, 'uniquely American' food stories!
“Food is a central part of any reunions and holiday celebrations. Learn from Culinary Historian Tonya Hopkins aka The Food Griot about the food (& drink!) associated with Juneteenth and the key role red-hued foods (& drinks) play that distinguishes this early Summer holiday from other gatherings, barbecues, park parties or picnics.” ~ BPL Website
By now everyone’s heard of ‘Juneteenth’ our nation’s newest federal holiday that was signed into federal law on June 17, 2021. The holiday’s name is short for June 19th, 1865 when the Union Army marched into the Confederate state of Texas (via the port city of Galveston) to announce the end of chattel slavery and enforce the Emancipation Proclamation that had declared their freedom 2 1/2 years prior in 1863 — resulting in joyous eruption among an estimated 250, 000 held in human bondage there and marking a beginning of hope for equality and freedom. The immediate focus for many was to reunite with family that had for centuries been forcibly separated. It was still another 2 1/2 years later (December 6th, 1865) that the 13th Amendment was ratified to end slavery nationwide.
“Juneteenth is a time to gather as a family, reflect on the past and look to the future. Discover ways to celebrate this African American cultural tradition of music, food and freedom.” ~ NMAAHC
ABOUT THE PRESENTER:
Tonya Hopkins, aka The Food Griot, is a culinary historian, food & drink media personality and show host featured on a range of broadcast networks, digital and print mediums (e.g., ABC, Belgian Public Television, FOOD 52, Food Network FORBES, HBO/MAX, Milk Street Radio, New York Times, NPR, Oxford University Press/OUP, PBS, and Variety)…
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Here’s the link to this event description on the BPL Site: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/calendar/celebration-foods-for-central-library-trustees-20240617-0630pm
Rock the House 2024 – A Grown Up Benefit Party for the OSH Gardens on June 11th!
The Old Stone House of Brooklyn’s biggest party of the year returns! Check here for ticket info…
Rock the House is an annual fundraising event that supports the beautification of the gardens and Park around the Old Stone House. Enjoy delicious food and drinks from local restaurants, live music and dancing around the Park.
Mark Your Calendars for a Fireside Feast & 'Artesanal' Mezcal Sip + Cocktail/Mocktail with TFG/Me + Historic Wyckoff & Lott House Museums!
Mark your calendars for June 6th 2024 for a Fireside Feast with Historic Wyckoff & Lott house Museums featuring yours truly, @TheFoodGriot, creating a signature cocktail (mocktail option) along with a guided mezcal tasting complete with spirited, historically-rooted talk on the oldest spirit of the New World and it’s connections to 17th & 18th Century New York….
LDNY Panel on Women & the Cocktail on June 4th
On Tuesday June 4th I’ll be part of a panel taking place at Les Dames d'Escoffier of New York's annual “The Next Big Sip” event . The topic is “Women & the Cocktail” moderated by Nicola Nice, author of the Cocktail Parlor: How Women Brought the Cocktail Home . “This panel will explore the historic connection of women and the cocktail, a retrospective look at the cocktail party – how it got started, why it came in and out of style, and the essential role that women have played…”
Annual Pinkster Celebrations: June 1st at Lefferts Historic House: June 2nd at Weeksville Heritage Center!
Background Ino: Prospect Park Alliance presents a Pinkster celebration in the yard of Lefferts Historic House, an 18th century Flatbush farmhouse that serves as the park's historic house museum. Chief Baba Neil Clarke and the Pinkster Players and friends, will lead this family-friendly event, which will feature music, history, performances, storytelling, demonstrations, games and FOOD related to this historic celebration of Africans in New York….
Pop Pairings Presents: Craft Spirits Renaissance Experience at the Brooklyn Navy Yard! Thursday May 23rd...
Pop Pairings Presents: Craft Spirits Renaissance Experience at the Brooklyn Navy Yard…
Eléctrico Mezcal Tasting May 2nd at the Historic Montauk Club [Private Event]
On Thursday May 2nd, I’ll be serving up and showcasing one of the best expressions of the New World’s oldest spirit, Eléctrico Mezcal Ancestral, at Brooklyn’s oldest and longest running private social club, The Montauk Club founded and built in 1889-91 (yes, the time period known as The Gilded Age). In fact, several scenes in Season Two of HBO’s The Gilded Age show were filmed onsite at The Montauk Club….
The Next Good Wine Class is Thursday March. 21st
Celebrate Women's History Month with a Class at Good Wine
on Thursday, March 21st at 7:00pm
Join Good Wine on Thursday, March 21st to explore a diverse selection of wines made by women, paired with recipes inspired by iconic female chefs such as Julia Child and our friend Chef Carla Hall! In fact some of the recipes prepared for class will be from “Carla Hall’s Soulfood: Everyday and Celebration” — Carla’s latest cookbook, the one I worked with her on as lead culinary historian! (see slide show pics).
With wine education by Good Wine assistant buyer AK (Akinsheye Brunson) showcasing six delicious wines by women wine makers plus six appropriate food pairings created and curated by shop owner/chef Heather Johnston — via her talented take on above-mentioned recipes — this class is guaranteed to be so delicious and so much fun! (Please let he Good Wine team know in advance if you have dietary restrictions).
Reserve your seat now! There’s a discount if two or more people sign up together. [Use code WINECLASS for 2+ tickets at checkout] Click on the “save my seat” button to register.
For more info email: goodwineon5th@gmail.com, or call 718-499-2392
Crown Hill Theatre VIP Networking Open House 2/29/24 5-8pm
Featured guests for the evening include yours truly — '“Culinary and Drink historian, Tonya Hopkins aka The Food Griot”, creating custom Electrico Mezcal cocktails, Terra Renee, founder of African American Women in Cinema, director Amber Monet treating event goers to a screening of the award-winning Josephine Baker mini-documentary “Dear Josephine”, Houston-based origami master, Kyle Fu, unveiling his life-sized origami sculpture of Josephine Baker, and New York City’s own Cake Diva, showcasing her “Fantasy Flowers” - Josephine Baker inspired headdress.
Good Wine Celebrates Black History Month Feb 8th!
In celebration of Black History Month, Good Wine’s hosting a delicious class on Feb 8th at 7pm featuring Black Winemakers and Vineyards! Venue location: The Old Stone House of Brooklyn. Six (6!) incredible wines from around the world (including from vintners pictured here, will be sampled and paired with an inspired and festive menu that fits the theme. And yours truly will be in he mix droppin historical contextual knowledge as well. Be sure to stay tuned for more details about this special event!
Special Remembrance Event Saturday 11/11/23 5:30pm at The Old Stone House of Bklyn
You 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 , distillery & history colleagues from 5:30 -8:30pm for a fabulous event featuring artisan foods, an award-winning short film screening+filmmaker and amazing drink brought to you by Eléctrico Mezcal Artesanal!
Celebrate Remembrance Around the World – Via a Local Walking Tour
Celebrate The Season of Remembrance! Spirited Storytelling + Flavorful Food, Drink, History & Cultural Connections: Strolling & Sampling Through The Slope…Join me on Wednesday November 8th starting at 7pm at the Old Stone House.
Sip & Stroll in the slope: A Mezcal Toast to Dia De Los Muertos – Walking Tour
Hosted by Tonya Hopkins, aka “The Food Griot,” Brought to You by Eléctrico Mezcal Artesanal and Featuring Ashbell’s Premium (Artisanally Smoked Meats & Seafood). Join me on Wednesday November 1st starting at 7pm at the Old Stone House. From there we’ll sip and snack our way down 5th Ave while being regaled with relevant culturally-rooted narratives: the theme of this night’s tour is “Dia De Los Muertos”.
Remembrance Redefined: A Special Book Reading, Signing + Tastings at Good Wine: A Food Lover’s Wineshop
FEAUTURES:
• BOOK READING & SIGNING by Claire Bellerjeau, Author of: “Remember Liss: The Remarkable True Story of One Woman’s Enslavement and Freedom in New York
• Cider & Wine tastings
• Food Sampling/Pairing (Ashbell’s Premium All Natural Applewood Smoked Duck Breast)
• Relevant Food (smoking) & Drink (cider, etc.) History from Tonya Hopkins aka “The Food Griot’
Celebrate the Season of Remembrance! Spirited Storytelling + Flavorful Food, Drink, History & Cultural Connections: Strolling & Sampling Through The Slope [and Beyond]...
There’s an exciting event series I’ve been simmering up in collaboration with local Brooklyn businesses based primarily in the neighborhood of Park Slope called "Spirits Storytelling Strolls in the Slope" during what I consider to be the “Spooky Season” between October 28th and November 11th at and around the time of Halloween, All Souls Day(s), Dia De Los Muertos / Day of The Dead, and other historical and multi-cultural Remembrance Days worldwide.
This all new Autumnal series is comprised of food, wine & spirits-centered tasting tours, sampling strolls, immersive storytelling, short film screenings and other spirit-lifting, food-paired programatic events within this two-week time frame designed to celebrate the many multicultural holidays of remembrance:
Get to Know ELÉCTRICO at 390 Social Starting On Thursday October 26th!
"Electrico Presents: Get Ready for Remembrance!" The Season of Recollection & Reminiscence…
With A Handcrafted Spirit Ancestors Would Approve! …#SparkofLife
Date: Thursday October 26th 7pm to 10pm
Location: 390 5th Avenue in Park Slope Brooklyn, NY 11215
Cost: FREE! Compliments of Eléctrico Spirits
FEAUTURES:
Artisanal Mezcal Tastings (of Eléctrico Mezcal Artesanal)
Award Winning Short Film Screening: FESTIVAL OAXACA*
390 Social Club’s Craft Cocktail Specials featuring Eléctrico Mezcal
Free Food Pairing (Ashbell’s All Natural Applewood Smoked Duck Breast)
Eléctrico-only “Lucky Hours” Specials til 9:30pm ! [5pm -7pm? normally…]
BOOK RELEASE TALK: “ENDANGERED EATING “ with Author SARAH LOHMAN in Convo with TONYA HOPKINS aka The Food Griot
BOOK RELEASE EVENT “ENDANGERED EATING “ by SARAH LOHMAN Featuring Her Culinary Colleagues Including Yours Truly…Sarah will lead an overview of the book, focusing on some of America’s most endangered foods, as well as the stories of the farmers, fishers, foragers, and shepherds that preserve them. We’re going to talk about LOST APPLES that have been REDISCOVERED. You’ll hear about North America’s first peanut, believed to have been extinct since 1930, PLUCKED FROM THE VOID and GROWN AGAIN. And we’ll talk about why these foods are going extinct, and how you can help save them. She’ll pepper the presentation both with readings from the book and some very special guests! Sarah will be joined on stage by her other half (of Masters of Social Gastronomy) Jonathan Soma, amateur food scientist and Director of the Lede Program at the Columbia School of Data Journalism. Then she'll be in conversation with Tonya Hopkins, The Food Griot, and co-founder of the James Hemings Society.
TFG (That's Me!) Will Be Doing Demos At Weeksville Heritage Ctr's HARVEST FESTIVAL Saturday October 21st
Join Weeksville Heritage Center (WHC) for their annual celebration of the transition into fall with a day of family-friendly activities celebrating Black land, food justice, and collective well-being. WHC’s 2023 Harvest Festival centers on health and wellness – featuring an on-site farmers’ market, health fair, arts & crafts, cooking demos, yoga and pilates, live music, tours of the historic Hunterfly Road Houses, special presentations, and so much more!
Tonya Hopkins (@TheFoodGriot) will talk about the role of food preservation in the past and present at this historically Black Brooklyn community and beyond — complete with special pickle making demos! That’s right, you get to go home with your own jar of all natural organic pickles that you made yourself (with a lil’ help from me, TFG! ;) RSVP NOW
Get to Know ELÉCTRICO At Harlem's First and still BEST Cocktail Bar: 67 Orange Street
Special Announcement: Eléctrico Comes to Harlem! To 67 Orange Street to be clear…
What’s ELÉCTRICO you ask? Eléctrico Mezcal is one of the finest, traditional, batch-distilled, artisanal mezcals ever to leave Oaxaca, Mexico...
And now for the first time you can experience this super premium mezcal on Wed Oct. 18th 5-8pm at the “Happiest Hours” of Harlem’s best craft cocktail destination (that just happens to be Black-owned!):
It’s called 67 Orange Street and it’s name is rooted in essential yet all but forgotten and nearly lost American history
Along with delicious tastes of Ashbell’s Applewood Smoked Duck Breast, craftily made using generations-old, well-seasoned family techniques.
You won’t want to miss this extra special event where high quality, shared respect and reverence for artisan traditions of the past come together to be savored and enjoyed in the present.
Even after Oct. 18th Eléctrico will be available at 67 Orange ongoingly — featured in their premium cocktails (hint: if i were you i’d get the ELÉCTRICO GLOW! why? ‘cause it’s got the wondrous Uncle Waithley’s Ginger Beer as a star ingredient…) …PLUS select varieties of ELÉCTRICO are also available for free sips and tastes — just ask one of the exceptional 67 Staff to have the bartender/mixologist who’s making all that magic happen to hook you up!
Last but not at all least, report back please on your surely-to-be AMAZING experience there — I’ve got a place for all your COMMENTS below!
Next Good Wine Class on Thursday, August 17th "Modern Wines from Revolutionary Times" at The Old Stone House!
On Thursday, August 17th at 7pm: Enjoy six (6!) timeless wines with food to pair, and all with a Revolutionary twist!Learning our shared history via the multi sensory talismans of FOOD and DRINK is sooooo much more interesting and fun than learning about battles alone! BUT in this case there’s ALSO a great “BATTLE of BROOKLYN” (true!) tale to tell too — right on time for the 247 th anniversary of the FIRST and LARGEST battle that marked the beginning of our (then VERY new) nation’s War of Independence against Brittain which took place on August 27th, 1776 at (and started guess where?!) — that’s right, the Old Stone House!… More info to follow, Stay Tuned on how to get YOUR TIX…
TFG's Summer Culinary History Series at Lefferts Historic House - CORN rescheduled for Saturday Aug 5th: "Corn, Glorious CORN!"...
I’m happy to announce a new Summer Series of TFG Culinary History Convos taking place at Lefferts Historic House during the last 3 weekends of July! It’s my motto that food and drink are optimal talismans through which to ‘time travel’ and make greater sense of our shared past. Accordingly, the main topic for each talk is a singular Summer food staple — affiliated with the historic house but also with a multitudinous impact on the world at large. The food items in sequential order are: Corn (on Sun July 16th) ; Vanilla Ice Cream (on Sat July 22nd) ; and Watermelon (on Sat July 29th…)
TFG's Series at Historic Lefferts House Continues w/ WATERMELON on Sat 7/29/23: “an African Fruit Revered Throughout Human History”...
The TFG's Culinary Convo Series at Historic Lefferts House Continues. Up Next: “WATERMELON — an African Fruit Revered Throughout Human History!”..This is the third and last installation of the “Summer Series of TFG Culinary History Convos” I’m hosting at Lefferts Historic House three weekend days in July. “Watermelon Month” starts on August 1st, so this African-originated hydration food is the featured topic on the last Saturday in July”…
TFG's Summer Culinary History Series (& Tasting!) at Lefferts Historic House Continues on 7/22/23 with: "Vanilla ICE CREAM, A Portal to Our Past"...
The TFG's Culinary History Summer Series at Lefferts Historic House Continues. Up Next: “Vanilla ICE CREAM, a Portal to our Past that Impacts the Present”..This is the second installation of a new Summer Series of TFG Culinary History Convos I’m hosting at Lefferts Historic House three weekend days in July! …July is known for many things including that it’s aka “Ice Cream Month” and also “Corn Month”. While “Watermelon Month” starts in August, that African-originated hydration food is relevant aaall Summer long (and will be the featured topic on the last Saturday in July”…
Celebrate Black Music Month with Wine, Food & Music at the Old Stone House @7pm Thursday June 15th
Good Wine’s next class: “Beats, Wines, & Life” celebrates the techniques, creativity and sense of place (aka “terroir”) of winemakers & the wines they make along with hip hop producers and the music they create. Right on time for Black Music Month! Trust, you will want to partake in this active tasting of geographically diverse wines with wonderfully tasty ‘soulful’ foods and an immersive music listening experience. Come out on 6/15/23 for a fun, delicious way to try new wines from a fresh perspective — paired with delectable ‘bites’ prepared by Good Wine shop owner & chef, Heather Johnston…
Conversation, Connections (& Cocktail Party!) Showcasing U Penn Arts & Sci Alumni Entrepreneurs in Food, Beverage & Hospitality…
U Penn alum Tonya Hopkins aka The Food Griot's co-hosting a panel convo & cocktail party called "Ben’s Table" June 7th: U Penn Arts & Sci entrepreneur alums in food, beverage & hospitality will showcase products from boozy teas to specialty confections. Meet these food & drink entrepreneurs, sample products, and network with fellow Penn College alums + affiliates over cocktails + hors d'oeuvres.