Cooking is a glimpse into the history of mankind. We can learn from the foods that we eat from we are from, or by who our influencers are. But it goes deeper than that. The ingredients we use are a narrative of the lands we originated in. Certain crops can only live in certain regions on Earth. Sharing food is sharing culture and parts of ourselves. Cooking may be a necessity, but it’s also a personal experience. Perhaps that is why food has been a tool to unify people for centuries.
(Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you)
In America, it’s possible that we overlook how many cultures comprise our local fare. We are called the “melting pot” of cultures, but I think that’s taken for granted. Black, White, and The Grey: The Story of an Unexpected Friendship and a Beloved Restaurant is a story about a pivotal moment in recent history. It illustrates how food can greatly influence our way of life.
This is a tale about a Black chef and a white entrepreneur who opened The Grey restaurant in Savannah, Georgia. The restaurant was established not very long ago, in 2014. The Grey restaurant embodies the struggle of African-Americans during the Civil Rights Movement in the South. The Greyhound depot was bought by part owner John O. Morisano who cleaned and fixed the old building. The depot closed in 1964. When it was operating, the depot was racially segregated with separate waiting areas and restrooms for blacks and whites.
Mashama Bailey was already a recognized chef by the time she and John O. Morisano connected. She grew up in Savannah, but had been working in New York City in a very famous bistro named “Prune.” When she came to The Grey, she felt drawn to it, because this was an important part of her history. She, too, became head chef and co-owner of The Grey. After sifting through many kinds of dishes from her experience as a chef in fine dining establishments, Bailey realized that the foods she grew up with was exactly what The Grey should be serving – true Soul Food.
There is a lot of history about The Grey and the Civil Rights Movement in the South in this cookbook Black, White, and The Grey: The Story of an Unexpected Friendship and a Beloved Restaurant. This cookbook and the restaurant are opening the eyes of the world to cuisine that was right under our noses.
Sprinkled throughout this cookbook are glorious and authentic recipes designed by Mashama Bailey. These recipes come together simply and provide insight into Southern African-American cuisine stepped up a notch. The ingredients are easy to find! Now we can take a piece of history with us home.
It is amazing how many Americans have never experienced true soul food. It just shows how we as individuals live in little pockets and have yet to really experience and appreciate all of these brilliant cuisines. This book is not only a lesson, but a celebration of African-American culture. We may have come far, but we still can find ways of understanding each other. What better than to use food as an introduction to unite us as a country.
~Kaiti
