Design and food guru talks with students, honored at museum event
http://archives.michronicleonline.com/articlelive/articles/2448/1/Design-and-food-guru-talks-with-students-honored-at-museum-event/Page1.html
By Melody Deniece Moore
Published on 03/5/2008
Lawry’s spokesperson B. Smith recently visited Detroit for the “Cooking Up Culture” tour. The multiple-city tour marks the year-long program which highlights diverse American cooking.
B. SMITH, fashion and food guru models in the fashion show in her honor. The show features items from Detroit native's Kevan Hall's spring 2008 collection.
Lawry’s spokesperson B. Smith recently visited Detroit for the “Cooking Up Culture” tour. The multiple-city tour marks the year-long program which highlights diverse American cooking.
The celebration kicked off in February in Detroit featuring African cuisine. Smith was also honored at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African History during the “Cooking Up Culture and Couture” Black history event. Gowns from fashion designer Kevan Hall’s spring 2008 collection were featured during the fashion show, in which Smith modeled. Hall, a Detroit native, has numerous actresses, including Angela Bassett, Salma Hayek and Charlize Theron. The event also included the unveiling of artist Annie Lee’s painting to coincide with the year-long celebration.
‘We’re excited to celebrate African cuisine this Black History Month,” Smith said. “Africans brought to the United States many of their indigenous foods and over time, vegetables such used in stews became staples in the American diet. Cajun cuisine, one of America’s favorites, evolved from African cuisine. Without the influence of African on American cuisine, many of today’s most popular American dishes might not exist.”
Throughout the other months of the year, the tour will feature Irish, Caribbean, Chinese, Italian, All American BBQ, Indian, Mexican and multi-ethnic foods.
“This celebration is a melting pot and we can focus on different cultures each month. People may eat foods from different cultures, but they do not know how to make them. Lawry’s has a nice line of ingredients that can be used with each dish.”
Additionally, through March 31, an original Annie Lee painting capturing the “Cooking Up Culture” theme is available for auction via www.lawrys.com. Proceeds from the sale will benefit America’s Second Harvest, the national food bank network.
“It was amazing to have Annie Lee get involved,” Smith said. “Not everyone knows her work so they have a chance to see the great artwork that she creates while supporting a charity.”
In Detroit. Smith met with students at various culinary arts schools at the museum. She worked with them as they developed an array of meals.
“I encourage young people to make dishes outside their ream of culture,” said Smith. “You are learning about lifestyle. I want to get more young people to cook. There are memories around food, when you are sitting at the table eating or when you have a family gathering. There are memories there. Everyone loves to eat, but not everyone loves to cook.”
Smith added that when people cook dishes outside of their culture, it helps them understand and even appreciate other ethnicities.
“I want people not to be afraid of trying anything,” she said.
Smith launched her career with plans of being a model and an actress. She soon discovered how to use her passion for cooking and design as a living. She is the owner of three restaurants, a home style and server ware collection at Bed Bath and Beyond, is the author of two books, and hosts a television program.
Lawry’s spokesperson B. Smith recently visited Detroit for the “Cooking Up Culture” tour. The multiple-city tour marks the year-long program which highlights diverse American cooking. Lawry’s spokesperson B. Smith recently visited Detroit
B. SMITH, fashion and food guru models in the fashion show in her honor. The show features items from Detroit native's Kevan Hall's spring 2008 collection.
Lawry’s spokesperson B. Smith recently visited Detroit for the “Cooking Up Culture” tour. The multiple-city tour marks the year-long program which highlights diverse American cooking.
The celebration kicked off in February in Detroit featuring African cuisine. Smith was also honored at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African History during the “Cooking Up Culture and Couture” Black history event. Gowns from fashion designer Kevan Hall’s spring 2008 collection were featured during the fashion show, in which Smith modeled. Hall, a Detroit native, has numerous actresses, including Angela Bassett, Salma Hayek and Charlize Theron. The event also included the unveiling of artist Annie Lee’s painting to coincide with the year-long celebration.
‘We’re excited to celebrate African cuisine this Black History Month,” Smith said. “Africans brought to the United States many of their indigenous foods and over time, vegetables such used in stews became staples in the American diet. Cajun cuisine, one of America’s favorites, evolved from African cuisine. Without the influence of African on American cuisine, many of today’s most popular American dishes might not exist.”
Throughout the other months of the year, the tour will feature Irish, Caribbean, Chinese, Italian, All American BBQ, Indian, Mexican and multi-ethnic foods.
“This celebration is a melting pot and we can focus on different cultures each month. People may eat foods from different cultures, but they do not know how to make them. Lawry’s has a nice line of ingredients that can be used with each dish.”
Additionally, through March 31, an original Annie Lee painting capturing the “Cooking Up Culture” theme is available for auction via www.lawrys.com. Proceeds from the sale will benefit America’s Second Harvest, the national food bank network.
“It was amazing to have Annie Lee get involved,” Smith said. “Not everyone knows her work so they have a chance to see the great artwork that she creates while supporting a charity.”
In Detroit. Smith met with students at various culinary arts schools at the museum. She worked with them as they developed an array of meals.
“I encourage young people to make dishes outside their ream of culture,” said Smith. “You are learning about lifestyle. I want to get more young people to cook. There are memories around food, when you are sitting at the table eating or when you have a family gathering. There are memories there. Everyone loves to eat, but not everyone loves to cook.”
Smith added that when people cook dishes outside of their culture, it helps them understand and even appreciate other ethnicities.
“I want people not to be afraid of trying anything,” she said.
Smith launched her career with plans of being a model and an actress. She soon discovered how to use her passion for cooking and design as a living. She is the owner of three restaurants, a home style and server ware collection at Bed Bath and Beyond, is the author of two books, and hosts a television program.