Where there is Flavor There Is History

The Story of New Orleans Creole Cooking: The Black Hand in the Pot is a full-length documentary that unveils the untold stories of New Orleans black chefs, cooks, street food vendors, grocers and butchers from 1718 to the present. Highlighting the trials and triumphs of being black, working, cooking and eating in the culinary capital of the United States throughout the centuries. From Nellie Murray, the most sought after Créole de couleur caterer in New Orleans for many premier society balls and parties in the 1890s to the legendary Leah Chase, chef and co-owner of Dooky Chase Restaurant.

The Story of New Orleans Creole Cooking: The Black Hand in the Pot is a full-length documentary that unveils the untold stories of New Orleans black chefs, cooks, street food vendors, grocers and butchers from 1718 to the present. Highlighting the trials and triumphs of being black, working, cooking and eating in the culinary capital of the United States throughout the centuries. From Nellie Murray, the most sought after Créole de couleur caterer in New Orleans for many premier society balls and parties in the 1890s to the legendary Leah Chase, chef and co-owner of Dooky Chase Restaurant.

At the Whitney Plantation on River Road, Louisiana, the Dillard University Ray Charles Program sat down with Whitney Plantation Academic Director, Dr. Ibrahima Seck and James Beard Award winning Chef Pierre Thiam to discuss the West African influence on New Orleans culture but particularly, Senegalese culture. Over 6,000 enslaved Africans came to Louisiana during the Senegambian Period in the 18th century. This full-length interview is a preview to our full length documentary to be released soon.

From April 26-28, 2019, The Dillard University Ray Charles Program was invited to film, photograph and document the Annual Semien Trail Ride in Sulphur, Louisiana at West Cal Arena. An accompanying article was published in the Fall 2019 "The Food Issue" for 64 Parishes Magazine (Creole Trail Rides).

The legacy of 19th Nellie Murray, the most sought after Creole of Color in New Orleans caterer at La Cocina, San Francisco.

Filmed on location at the New Orleans Cooking Experience in partnership with the Dillard University Ray Charles Program www.dillard.edu. Music provided by the New Orleans Hot 8 Brass Band.