June 25, 6:30 P.M. Talk: On James Beard’s Legacy and Impact on Queer Food
June 25, 2024 06:30 PM
In Conversation with James Beard Award–Winning Authors John Birdsall and Food Writer and Cookbook Author Andy Baraghani
25 11th Ave, New York, NY 10011, USA
Join celebrated writer and the author of The Man Who Ate Too Much: The Life of James Beard John Birdsall in conversation with video personality, food writer, and author of The Cook You Want to Be, Andy Baraghani, as they discuss the legacy and impact of James Beard. One of the foremost authorities on James Beard, Birdsall illuminated the life of the “Dean of American Cookery” by diving into his identity as a queer man in the world of cooking at a challenging time for LGBTQ+ expression. A former Bon Appétit food editor, Baraghani authored the article for the publication, “Hid Who I Was For So Long. Until I Became A Cook” revealing his journey of coming out and the important role food played. Together, they will discuss the definition of queer food, the complex connection between food and queerness, and James Beard’s impact as a pioneer of queer food in America.
General Admission: $25
About John Birdsall:
John Birdsall is a two-time James Beard Award–winning food and culture writer, with a focus on queer food stories. He’s the author of The Man Who Ate Too Much: The Life of James Beard (Norton, 2020). The book was a finalist for a James Beard Award, a Lambda Literary Award, the Publishing Triangle’s Randy Shilts Award for Gay Nonfiction, and was an Amazon Top 100 Best Book of the Year. He’s co-author of the book Hawker Fare (with James Syhabout), published under the Anthony Bourdain imprint for Ecco–HarperCollins in 2018. Birdsall’s bylines include the New York Times,Food & Wine, Bon Appétit, Saveur, and Lucky Peach, and he’s at work on What Is Queer Food?, forthcoming from Norton in 2025.
About Andy Baraghani:
Andy Baraghani is a New York Times bestselling and James Beard Award-winning author (The Cook You Want to Be). He began his career working at renowned restaurants Chez Panisse and Estela before moving into food media. Andy falls asleep watching old Oscar speeches every night. He is currently working on his second book.
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.