Aladdin Campus Dining teams celebrate Black History Month by educating students through food! Students are enjoying African-based cuisine at their higher education campuses, including many historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the country. Students taste the history of the month, by learning about the traditions and celebrations that make Black history so important!
Earlier this month at Savannah State University in Savannah, GA, the oldest HBCU in GA, Aladdin executive chefs alongside guest Chef-Farmer Matthew Raiford and Chef Tia Raiford, prepared a Gullah Geechee lunch featuring Chef Matthew’s family recipes directly from his published cookbook, Bress N’Nyam! A fusion of West and Central African cooking techniques and low country ingredients, students had the exclusive opportunity to savor the flavors of homemade Creole Shrimp & Grits, Berbere Ribs, Curried Vegetables, Za’atar Chicken, Gullah Rice, Effie’s Brown Sugar Molasses Pound Cake and more! In addition, the Chefs interacted with students, faculty, and staff about the education of authentic Gullah Geechee ingredients.
Chefs Matthew and Tia were supported by Aladdin Campus Dining Executive Chef at Savannah State Jerry Agustin and Food Service Director Eric Young, as well as Corporate Support Executive Chefs Eric Pierce, Chris Aquilino and Chris Caracciolo.
The creators of Strong Roots 9, Chefs Matthew and Tia also educated students on their mission which is to create modern opportunities for Americans to reconnect with our nation’s natural heritage through food, products, and experiences!
Bowie State University, one of the 10 oldest HBCUs in the country located in Prince George’s County, MD, kicked off Black History Month in true spirit with authentic cuisine featuring braised Nigerian beef, classic Jollof rice, crispy plantains, chicken berbere, Ethiopian rice pilaf and more! The culinary team wore traditional clothing with a unique style and cultural significance to give the students, faculty, and staff the full experience.
Aladdin is proud of Chef and Catering Manager Chakakhan Fuller-Howard of Albany State University (Albany, GA), who will be honored for her culinary work at the National Black Chefs Awards on February 24th during their annual meeting in Chicago. Ms. Fuller-Howard was nominated for her hard work, efforts, and dedication to the National Black Chefs Association and to HBCU schools such as Albany State University.
According to Aladdin Campus Dining Director of Operations Edmond Ledoux, “Our goal is to highlight the importance of cuisine, traditions, and history not only during Black History Month but all year long.”
