Leni Sorensen, a local food historian, visited Culinary Arts classes on Friday, September 17, 2021 to talk about the local history of some of our favorite foods. She made the macaroni and cheese recipe from James Hemmings, Thomas Jefferson’s chef. She is featured in episode 3 of High on the Hog on Netflix. Students watched that episode in preparation for her visit. The episode is about both James Hemmings and Hercules, George Washington’s chef. Both were black slaves who changed American cooking forever, but until recently, have received little credit. Culinary Arts students got to try raw oysters, Edwards country ham, and the macaroni pie served at Monticello.
Local Food Historian Leni Sorensen Visits Culinary Arts Program
September 17, 2021