Main content starts here, tab to start navigating

February 27, 7:00 P.M. Dinner: Culinary Legends: Chef Ashleigh Shanti Memorializes Trailblazer Malinda Russell

February 27, 2025 07:00 PM

Join us for a dinner honoring influential Black culinarians in celebration of Black History Month

25 11th Ave, New York, NY 10011, USA

Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the legacy of Malinda Russell, a Black Appalachian woman who is the first known African American cookbook author and a trailblazer who helped shaped American cuisine. Inspired by Russell as she wrote her recently released cookbook, Our South: Black Food Through My Lens, chef Ashleigh Shanti (a 2020 James Beard Award nominee for Rising Star Chef of the Year), will trace the roots of African American cooking in Appalachia through a menu featuring reinterpreted recipes from Russell's groundbreaking A Domestic Cookbook, first published in 1866.
A member of the Diplomatic Culinary Corp., a partnership between the James Beard Foundation and the State Department, Chef Shanti is celebrated for her innovative approach to Southern cuisine and commitment to preserving African American culinary history. Currently, Ashleigh owns and operates Good Hot Fish, a modern-day quick service fish fry establishment serving local and sustainable seafood and produce in the historic Black south side of Asheville, NC.

Shanti’s cookbook, Our South: Black Food Through My Lens, will be available for purchase at the event from our friends at BEM Books & More.

Dining Table $175 | Internal Chefs Counter $190 | External Chefs Counter $155

Purchase Now


MENU

Hors d’Oeuvre 

Salt Rising Bread with Tomato Pickles and Preserved Green Tomato Aioli
Contains wheat 

Cornmeal-Fried Oyster with Black Pepper and Sour Corn Katsup
Contains alliums, shellfish, and wheat 

Malinda's Omelette with Crispy Rice and Country Ham
Contains alliums 

Quince Cordial> Mulled Brandy with Quince and Warm Spices 

Dinner

Classic Chow Chow
Contains alliums 

Pressed Beef with Dressed Okra and Vegetable Oysters (Salsify) 

How to Cook Parsnips
Contains dairy 

Fricasseed Catfish with Leather Britches (Pole Beans)
Contains dairy 

Soft Gingerbread with Molasses Custard and Paw Paw Boiled Icing
Contains dairy and wheat 

Appalachian Birch Chew Stick 

Wine curated and generously donated by Cha McCoy/The Communion.


Support for this event is generously provided by Nancy Lukitsh through a gift to the JBF Chef Performance Fund.


Tickets to events held at Platform at Pier 57 by the James Beard Foundation cover the cost of food, education and a unique dining experience. Meals are prepared by culinary masters from all regions of the United States and around the world. Unless otherwise stated, alcoholic beverages are provided on a complimentary basis and are not included in the ticket price.

James Beard Foundation events permit guests age 21 years and older to attend events where alcoholic beverages are served.

Event Policy

Reservation Policy:

All reservations are non-refundable and must be made in advance. Should the event be cancelled due to any unforeseen circumstances, including COVID-19, JBF will offer a range of options, including ticket exchanges, the option to donate tickets, or a full refund. For more information, contact platformbyjbf@jamesbeard.org.

Alcohol Disclaimer:

James Beard Foundation events permit guests age 21 years and older to attend events where alcoholic beverages are served. 

Dietary/Food Restrictions Policy:

Events at Platform by JBF are special one-night-only menus and we do not offer a la carte menus. If you have serious food allergies, we will work with the visiting chef team to do our best to accommodate but cannot guarantee that alternate options will be available for every course.

Purchase Now