Hundreds of diaries and other historical accounts detail the lives and even recipes of early Americans, but when it comes to some of the nation's first celebrity chefs, we're almost out of luck. Fortunately, Hatchet Hall hit the books to bring us an incredible dinner series on the subject: Hemings & Hercules, an eight-course ode to unsung heroes James Hemings and Hercules Caesar, chefs enslaved by presidents Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, respectively.
In celebration of Black History Month, Hatchet Hall's thoughtful glimpse into American cooking, slavery and these chefs' legacies returns this February, popping up inside of Hatchet Hall every Thursday night from February 6 to 27 with a menu featuring the likes of sweet potato with sorghum butter, ginger, peanuts and green onions; chicken roulade with Virginia ham, chestnuts, mushrooms and sherry; and beef-fat potatoes, tomato catsup.
Each installation only offers 12 seats, so you'll probably want to reserve your spot ahead of time to travel back in time, plate by plate. Find more information on Hatchet Hall's Hemings & Hercules series here.