FOODIE JOURNAL
Culinary News & Notes
BY:
Lia Picard
A collection of photographs, advertisements, grills and other artifacts trace the long and storied history of barbecue at a new exhibit at the Atlanta History Center.
INTERNATIONAL GRILLING TRADITIONS Grilling didn’t start in the American South. With roots in West Africa and the Caribbean, barbecue was “discovered” by European explorers who brought the technique back to the continent. This portion of the exhibit dives into how slaves built barbecue in America. There’s also a pamphlet on display from 1707 called The Barbecue Feast—one of only three known copies in the world—that contains the first known use of the word.
A HISTORIC FEAST A NEW EXHIBIT SERVES UP A SMORGASBORD OF BARBECUE CULTURE
A
tlanta is a city that loves its barbecue. But other than knowing the best places to eat it, few people know how deep its roots really go. “Barbecue Nation,” a new exhibit on view at the Atlanta History Center through June 16, 2019, sheds light on the history of the cuisine. For instance, did you know that in 1909, barbecued possum was served at a banquet in Atlanta to honor President-Elect William Howard Taft? Here’s a taste of what else you’ll find at this mouthwatering exhibit.
FOOD NEWS n Public Kitchen & Bar, now open in Phipps Plaza, brings Daniel Reed Hospitality’s Savannah concept to Atlanta. With a focus on featuring the best possible ingredients, its beef and most of the produce is sourced from managing partner Jamie Durrence’s family farm in Glennville, Georgia. thepublickitchen.com
n Chef Boyd A. Rose of Secreto Southern Kitchen & Bar opened a Brookhaven outpost of the Alpharetta Southern restaurant this spring. Meaning “secret” in Spanish, the restaurant’s name refers to Rose’s proclivity for re-creating family recipes. Look for regional staples such as fried chicken with buttermilk mashed potatoes and grilled lemon-basil jumbo shrimp. secretokitchen.com n Ian Winslade, formerly the executive chef of Murphy’s in Virginia Highland, as well as nationally esteemed dining rooms such as Le Bernardin, has opened Mission + Market in Three Alliance Center. The new Buckhead spot emulates restaurants in Northern California with bright and comforting cuisine. missionandmarketatl.com
60
June 2018 | Simply Buckhead
Secreto’s smothered and covered Southern fried chicken.
THE EVOLUTION OF THE GRILL Are you a total grill nerd? Then you’ll love this section featuring a timeline of cookers that includes a 1930s Ford charcoal unit, a 1948 Char-Broil Wheelbarrow Picnic Cooker and a 1965 Weber Kettle in a “Westerner” motif. A display of artwork, advertisements and cookbooks showcase how barbecue became enmeshed with community and recreation. BARBECUE AND SENSE OF PLACE Sauce or no sauce? White or vinegarbased? How you answer these
questions may indicate where you’re from. Barbecue traditions vary from state to state, and even regionally within states. This section explores geographic variations in barbecue and how rivalries have ensued. The artifacts include a chopping block from Skylight Inn BBQ in Ayden, North Carolina, and an 11-foot sign from the Southside Market & Barbecue in Elgin, Texas. The fun doesn’t stop there, though. Several special programs are being offered in conjunction with the show. On the weekend of June 16, in honor of Juneteenth, author-chef Michael W. Twitty will give a talk on African and African-American traditions in Southern barbecue. And on Oct. 5, the museum will host Hogtoberfest, a whole-hog barbecue supper. n Atlanta History Center 130 West Paces Ferry Road N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.814.4000 atlantahistorycenter.com
SUMMER TREAT BEAT THE HEAT WITH A SOOTHING SMOOTHIE High temps are back, and if you’re like most people this time of year, you’re probably shying away from heavy meals. Smoothies to the rescue! They’re cool, packed with nutrients and an easy way to grab a bite on the go. Stop in for a sip at one of these area smoothie spots. KALE ME CRAZY You can’t beat Kale Me Crazy, with locations in Buckhead and Sandy Springs, when it comes to fresh smoothies. Standouts include the Pink Splash, made with beets, apples, strawberries, coconut yogurt, dates and lime, and
the Tropical Tripping, consisting of orange, mango, pineapple, coconut yogurt and coconut milk. Best of all, you can order on the app and skip waiting in line to order. kalemecrazy.net ROOTS JUICES This juice and smoothie bar is a staple at the Shops Around Lenox, and it’s easy to see why. The Maca Spice is a bestseller and is sure to help you power through the day. Packed with spinach, honey, almond butter, almond milk, banana, flax, vanilla and maca, it’s a mean-green machine. rootspressedjuices.com
VEDA JUICE Head to one of Veda Juice’s two area locations for its delicious concoctions. Besides sippable smoothies and juices, you’ll also find filling smoothie bowls. Try the Acai Power Bowl with bananas, strawberries, protein powder, almond butter, granola and honey. vedajuice.com