The Black Hand in the Pot - Before they were chefs

Before the rock star status of 5 star chefs there were African-American cooks whose identities remained anonymous. Their creative genius was the basis for the cuisine taunted around the world. They stood behind the swinging doors and hollowed petitions chopping seasoning, stirring pots and making names for restaurants they would never have the privilege to dine in, and housewives who entertained crediting themselves with their gastronomical magic.

In The Creole Cookery cookbook the Christian Women's Exchanged shared the reasoning behind publishing the recipe's of their cooks... "In this time, glorious with the general diffusion of learning. It is befitting that the occult science of the gumbo should cease to be the hereditary lore of our negro mammies, and should be allowed its proper place in the gastronomical world."

"In this time, glorious with the general diffusion of learning. It is befitting that the occult science of the gumbo should cease to be the hereditary lore of our negro mammies, and should be allowed its proper place in the gastronomical world." (The Creole Cookery; Christian Women's Exchange)

Lena Richard

https://www.nola.com/300/2018/10/lena_richard_new_orleans_chef.html

http://www.creolegen.org/2015/10/04/the-martha-stewart-of-new-orleans-lena-richard-1892-1950/?fbclid=IwAR08jyMpr9W7YMB1q2jjA4cZs76EyvVSbCaQ1DyY6adYWZVPkVEkznKTeVw

Rose Nicaud - The French Quarter Coffee Vendor

https://www.nola.com/300/2018/11/rose_nicaud_new_orleans_coffee.html?fbclid=IwAR0XIMfz8ce95Kh16IGuun2MOXaVCnYmeZjPrIvsVjf3_yjdPsY65eiGk2o

Mrs. Leah Chase on the return to cooks and farmers

https://www.facebook.com/degullahchef/videos/194299501466391/UzpfSTE2NzU1NjIyNTYwMDA1MzM6MjI0NTUwMzk4OTAwNjM1NA/