In this episode of the Chefs Without Restaurants podcast, host Chris Spear welcomes Chef Amethyst Ganaway to discuss her culinary journey, which spans over a decade in both front-of-house and back-of-house roles. Amethyst shares her deep-rooted connection to Gullah Geechee cuisine, offering insights into how her heritage and upbringing in North Charleston, South Carolina, have shaped her approach to cooking and food writing.
Episode Highlights:
- Amethyst's Culinary Journey: From her upbringing in North Charleston to her current life in Albuquerque, Amethyst discusses how her experiences have influenced her culinary path. She explains the importance of distinguishing North Charleston from downtown Charleston and shares her observations on gentrification and its impact on local communities and food culture.
- Gullah Geechee Cuisine: Amethyst delves into the rich history and traditions of Gullah Geechee cuisine, emphasizing the importance of preserving this unique culinary heritage. She discusses how her cultural background influences her cooking and why it's crucial to educate others about the political and social aspects of food.
- The Politics of Food: The conversation takes a deep dive into the political nature of food, particularly concerning Black and Brown communities. Amethyst speaks about the challenges of navigating the food industry and the need for diverse voices in food media and writing. She also touches on her experiences with food writing and why it's essential for her to share her perspective, even if it means educating others along the way.
- Future Aspirations: Although the pandemic has brought uncertainties, Amethyst talks about her future goals, including her interest in doing pop-ups and her recent opportunity with America's Test Kitchen. She reflects on her love for food, culture, and community and what she hopes to accomplish moving forward.
You can find her work on her website Geechie Gordita, as well as in Food & Wine, Plate, Serious Eats, Garden & Gun and Eater.
Amethyst Ganaway
Amethyst's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thizzg/
Amethyst's Website http://www.geecheegordita.com/
Amethyst's Twitter https://twitter.com/ExcuseMyFly
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