Leni through the lens
Local culinary historian Leni Sorensen got some screen time in Netflix’s recent limited series “High On The Hog,” hosted by food writer Stephen Satterfield. The show explores how African American culinary traditions shaped modern American cuisine. In the third episode, “Our Founding Chefs,” Satterfield journeys to Monticello to tell the story of James Hemings, chef de cuisine for Thomas Jefferson and older brother to Sally Hemings. As a young man, Hemings was brought to Paris to train in the art of French cooking, and he introduced a unique French-Virginian fusion cuisine when he returned to the plantation. Satterfield and Sorensen discuss Hemings’ role in bringing Afro-European food into the cultural zeitgeist of the 18th-century United States. “‘High on the Hog’ is the first time we’ve ever seen a show dedicated to Black food culture, on this scale, with this kind of investment and production and distribution.” says Satterfield.
Going coconuts
Can’t get enough Num Tok? Go west! Monsoon Siam has expanded (for the second time this year!) with a new Crozet location named Coconut Thai Kitchen. Owners Kitty Ashi and Pooh Dutdao now count four restaurants as part of the Monsoon family, including a location in Madison, Wisconsin. Their latest addition features Monsoon’s most popular dishes as well as some new fare at the 1015 Heathercroft Circle location.
Hey Yo
We thought Baggby’s Gourmet Sandwiches offered everything—dine in, carryout, delivery, and catering. Now, to celebrate its 20th anniversary, the shop has installed a self-service frozen yogurt counter and expanded its hours (plus they’ll validate your parking). But do you really need two hours of free parking at the Market Street garage when Baggby’s sandwiches are so affordably priced and made with such high-quality, local ingredients that you’re likely to gobble them down in mere minutes? That’s for you to decide.
Let it play
The word tequila elicits a reaction in most of us: The three-word song, that one time during college, or The Bebedero’s amazing list. Now you can explore the Mexican-inspired hot spot’s tequila list in depth during tastings every Wednesday this summer from 6 to 9pm. The most recent showcase featured an 1800 Cristalino añejo aged in both French and American oak barrels and finished in a port wine cask…DA da-da da da DA da—tequila!