The American Culinary Federation’s (ACF) Chicago Chapter of Chefs of Cuisine, Inc., recognized Chef Joe Randall, Chef/Owner of Chef Joe Randall’s Cooking School, as its 2013 Lifetime Honorary Member. During the organization’s annual board dinner, held on Dec. 2 at Kendall College of Culinary Arts in Chicago, Chef Joe received this great honor for his lifetime commitment to the culinary … Read More
Savannah Crabcakes
Makes 8 Servings I learned to make crab cakes while training under Chef Robert W. Lee at the Harrisburger Hotel in the mid 1960’s. I created this version for the Baltimore Fishmarket in 1988, which sold 500 pounds of the delicacy a week. Ingredients: 1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick) 1 small onion minced 4 egg yolks 2 teaspoons Coleman’s dry … Read More
Chef Patrick Clark Speak From His Heart
An interview with Chef Patrick Clark is featured on Chef Joe Randall’s website in his Hall of Fame section.
Memories of my dear friend Chef Patrick Clark
Patrick Clark March 17, 1955- February 11, 1998 While I have many wonderful memories of my dear friend Patrick Clark, a few great moments do come to mind. Patrick was always willing to help whenever I called upon him to share his talents and expertise. He worked with me on several events for the National Counsel of Negro Women in … Read More
Chef Edna Lewis In Her Own Words
Ms. Lewis gained tremendous accolades for her cookbooks on the pleasures of southern cooking and heritage. Some of her most prized cookbooks included, The Edna Lewis Cookbook, The Taste of Country Cooking, and In Pursuit of Flavor. Chef Edna Lewis’ passion for fresh ingredients and authentic flavors will live on through the work of generations of African American chefs to … Read More
Memories of My Dear Friend Edna Lewis
Edna Lewis April 13, 1916 – February 13, 2006 Today, I found myself reminiscing about the first time I spoke with my dear friend Chef Edna Lewis. At the time of our very first conversation, Ms. Lewis was a few years shy of retirement and was serving as the executive chef at Gage & Tollner in Brooklyn, New York. I … Read More
Oyster and Shrimp Purloo
The Geechee-Gullah Influence Some of the strongest influences on US cuisine came from African slaves, the people who least intended to be here. American food is inconceivable without barbecue in its many variations, all kinds of fritters and a mess of greens. Indeed Africans brought with them important techniques including smoking meats, frying grains and legumes into fritters, boiling leafy … Read More
Hoppin’ John
Hoppin’ John is one of the dishes that Chef Lee exposed me to when I was at the Harrisburgher Hotel in Harrisburg, PA as a young cook in the mid 1960’s. He had learn to make it from a black lady while he working in Charleston South Carolina. He said she was very clear that you should never uncover the … Read More