When a special dinner from Libertys Kitchen gets started Thursday, chef Alfred Singleton, of Caf Sbisa, will be at the stove but far from the guests assembled for the evening.
The same goes for Tour Folkes, the cocktail pro behind the nights featured drink pairing, as well as Libertys Kitchen grad Gioia Barconey, the host for this edition of the nonprofits virtual guest chef dinner series. Even T-Ray the Violinist will provide the nights music from afar.
Yet for Libertys Kitchen, and for those cooking and following along from home, an event held at a distance is closely aligned with issues now ringing through the outcry against racism and calls for change.
People are more willing to talk about whats happening in our society now and thats in tandem with our mission, said Dennis Bagneris, CEO of Libertys Kitchen, the nonprofit cafe and youth development program.
Liberty's Kitchen CEO Dennis Bagneris high-fives a trainee during family meal, where trainees and staff gather to eat lunch at Liberty's Kitchen in New Orleans.
Virtual events have been a lifeline for many groups through the pandemic, with large gatherings off the table. For Libertys Kitchen, this ongoing guest chef series is vital because it takes the place of its biggest annual fundraiser, Come Grow With Us. The series will continue in July (people who sign up for the dinner get a box of ingredients delivered to prepare as they follow a live Zoom event, or can support just by logging into the Zoom video to follow along; see details below).
The Libertys Kitchen dinner arrives as the nonprofit is simultaneously compelled by the pandemic to find new ways to operate and energized by greater attention to the issues that have always propelled its work.
Were not a Black program, were a program for people in need, what does it say that 90% of the people we serve are people of color? Thats not a coincidence, said Bagneris. The problems lie with the racial profiling, the inherent bias or the in-your-face racism that young people have to encounter to get hired or stay hired.
Culinary Training manager Tori Nero and a trainee at Liberty's Kitchen.
Libertys Kitchen works in the same realm as Caf Reconcile in Central City and Caf Hope on the west bank, two culinary-based youth development nonprofits.
While the cafe and culinary training program are the vehicles, the mission goes beyond food. It's about investing in talent and talent development, Bagernis said.
Its an opportunity to learn, develop, grow, make mistakes, in an environment where youre free to fail, instead of having that experience be life-altering, because society has given a certain segment of the population less chance to make mistakes, Bagneris said.
Gioia Barconey, an alum of Liberty's Kitchen, chats with the crowd as chef Michael Gulotta starts preparations at the Ann Maloney Cooking Club.
When the pandemic hit, the Libertys Kitchen cafe had to close (it is now scheduled to reopen for takeout on July 6). The nonprofit's leaders worried that the crisis would also limit their work with youth.
In fact, the opposite happened, it redirected us to who we are, Bagneris said. Because at the core we are about being here for our young people, about wanting to make a change for the work environment and the society they live in as a whole, it has still resonated with people.
The group was able to sustain and in some cases expand partnerships with other organizations. Its food access programs continued and Libertys Kitchen case management staff found themselves working with their Youth Development Program participants more, not less, as the shutdowns sharpened needs and focused efforts.
The virtual chef dinner series is another way Libertys Kitchen is moving forward.
Dennis Bagneris, CEO of Libertys Kitchen, and Toure Folkes, bartender and cocktail consultant.
All of the people Libertys Kitchen recruited to lead Thursday's dinner are Black, and that was intentional.
Singleton built a career in big-name New Orleans restaurants before reopening the classic Caf Sbisa in 2016 as chef and partner, starting a new chapter in one the French Quarters oldest restaurants, now with Black ownership.
Folkes, a cocktail consultant, last year created Turning Tables, a program to increase inclusion for people of color in the bar and spirits business.
T-Ray The Violinist is a New Orleans-based musician who takes a multi-genre approach to violin.
T-Ray the Violinist uses his performances to break stereotypes about musical styles, and the musicians behind them.
And Barconey is a Libertys Kitchen success story on multiple levels, as a graduate of its program, president of its Youth Leadership Council and founder of her Greezy NOLA Catering business.
They tell a story about the fabric of our community, said Bagneris.
The overwhelming message from people of color is that getting to the next level shouldnt come down to the approval of a White audience, he said. It shouldnt be about people of color having their talents pushed forward and celebrated in spite of their color. That should never be a challenge or an issue. It should come from who they are and what they do.
Liberty's Kitchen Virtual Guest Chef Night
When: Thursday, June 25, 5-6:30 p.m.
What: Guest chef Alfred Singleton, of Cafe Sbisa, guides participants via Zoom as they prepare a meal in their own homes, with a cocktail pairing from Tour Folkes, music by T-Ray the Violinist and Gioia Barconey as host. Tickets are $60 and include a box of ingredients to prepare the meal and cocktail delivered to your door (delivery in New Orleans only); or contribute $25 for Zoom conference access to follow along. See details here. Get tickets here.
Change, realization, uplift, expression. Ideas now coursing through this moment of history as people protest racism are the same as those that
With so much attention now focused on Louisiana in crisis, maybe Louisiana people can also show what helps us power through dire adversity.
A good restaurant tip is gold in this town. New Orleans people covet them, cultivate them, exchange them.
View original post here:
- Information Overload - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Same-Sex Marriage Gains - Iowa, DC and Vermont - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Obama and the Muslim World - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Nordyke - Incorporation of the Second Amendment to Apply to the States - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Obama's First 100 Days - Reclaiming the Constitution* - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Education Reform - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Legalize (and Tax) Vice - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Obama World vs. Cheney World - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- National Rifle Association v. Chicago (McDonald v. Chicago) Oral Arguments* - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Reconciling Liberty and Progressive Government - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Obama in the Middle East - A Respectful, Rational Voice - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Second Amendment Incorporation Update - Seventh Circuit Decision - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Strong versus Weak Judging - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Drawing the Line on the Obama Administration's National Security Practices - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Supreme Court Amicus Brief in McDonald v. Chicago - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- McDonald v. Chicago Amicus Brief - Volokh Conspiracy Link - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Healthcare Reform - Voices of Reason from Senators Wyden & Bennett - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Time to Legalize Drugs - Sensible WaPo Article - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Article in William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal: Rescuing the Fourteenth Amendment Privileges or Immunities Clause - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Just Do It - Obama Needs Backbone for Meaningful Healthcare Reform, a la FDR - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Nordyke v. King Rehearing - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Huge News - Supreme Court Grants Certiorari in McDonald v. Chicago re: Privileges or Immunities - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Obama Needs to Take Stands on Principle - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Kudos to Harry Reid for Including Public Option in Proposed Health Care Bill - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Free Radicals - Individual Efforts Can Change the World - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Destroy the Filibuster - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- McDonald v. Chicago - Petitioner's Brief - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Something on Which We Can All Agree - Less Government in Criminal Justice - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Obama Approach to Governing; Afghanistan Policy - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- McDonald v. Chicago - Law Professors' Amicus Brief - December 15th, 2009 [December 15th, 2009]
- Senate Passes Health Care Insurance Reform - Reflections - December 25th, 2009 [December 25th, 2009]
- "Radicals In Their Own TIme" - Introduction & Selected Excerpts - January 1st, 2010 [January 1st, 2010]
- Terrific WaPo Farewell Column by Ellen Goodman - January 2nd, 2010 [January 2nd, 2010]
- Same-Sex Marriage Case in California - January 20th, 2010 [January 20th, 2010]
- Health Care; Corporate Speech Case - January 23rd, 2010 [January 23rd, 2010]
- McDonald v. Chicago - Essay in Cardozo Law Review de novo Online Journal - January 29th, 2010 [January 29th, 2010]
- Another Response to Citizens United: Remove Supreme Court Appellate Jurisdiction - February 11th, 2010 [February 11th, 2010]
- Olympics Idealism - March 1st, 2010 [March 1st, 2010]
- Framers Believed in Virtuous (ie, Humane) Government - March 21st, 2010 [March 21st, 2010]
- McDonald v. Chicago - Yesterday's Oral Argument - March 22nd, 2010 [March 22nd, 2010]
- Radicals in Their Own Time: Four Hundred Years of Struggle for Liberty and Equal Justice in America - May 21st, 2010 [May 21st, 2010]
- McDonald v. Chicago decision - October 11th, 2010 [October 11th, 2010]
- OpEd on McDonald v Chicago Case - June/July 2010 - October 11th, 2010 [October 11th, 2010]
- New Blog Format - October 11th, 2010 [October 11th, 2010]
- New Book - Radicals in Their Own Time - February 14th, 2011 [February 14th, 2011]
- Liberty Property Trust Hosts First Quarter 2012 Results Conference Call - March 31st, 2012 [March 31st, 2012]
- Liberty Property Trust Announces First Quarter 2012 Results - April 25th, 2012 [April 25th, 2012]
- Liberty Energy Announces Creation of Advisory Board and Appointment of Its First Member - April 25th, 2012 [April 25th, 2012]
- Liberty Tire Recycling, Keep Atlanta Beautiful and City of Atlanta Tire Commission Join Forces for Large-Scale Tire ... - April 25th, 2012 [April 25th, 2012]
- Liberty Bowl set for afternoon kick New Year's Eve - April 25th, 2012 [April 25th, 2012]
- Liberty Bowl Announces Date and Time - April 25th, 2012 [April 25th, 2012]
- Liberty ship sinking remembered - April 25th, 2012 [April 25th, 2012]
- Liberty Union searching for girls basketball coach - April 25th, 2012 [April 25th, 2012]
- How to Do a Liberty - Video - April 30th, 2012 [April 30th, 2012]
- Review: The "Liberty I" Ultra Compact Compound Bow vs. "Razor Edge" and "Slingbow" - Video - April 30th, 2012 [April 30th, 2012]
- Heavy Rain in Liberty City: Episode 1 (Grand Theft Auto IV Machinima) - Video - April 30th, 2012 [April 30th, 2012]
- Jordan Page "Liberty" (Acoustic Version) - Video - April 30th, 2012 [April 30th, 2012]
- StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty - Cinematic Trailer - Video - April 30th, 2012 [April 30th, 2012]
- China 9 Liberty 37 - Video - April 30th, 2012 [April 30th, 2012]
- Liberty`s Kids: #05 "Midnight Ride" (1/2) - Video - April 30th, 2012 [April 30th, 2012]
- Madness - The Liberty of Norton Folgate Live - Video - April 30th, 2012 [April 30th, 2012]
- I Pledge to Join Young Americans for Liberty - Video - April 30th, 2012 [April 30th, 2012]
- Steve Vai - Liberty - Video - April 30th, 2012 [April 30th, 2012]
- North Liberty fire chief: Email blasting staff was meant to motivate - May 4th, 2012 [May 4th, 2012]
- FCC dismisses Liberty Media request for control of SiriusXM - May 5th, 2012 [May 5th, 2012]
- Liberty FCC Request to Control Sirius XM Radio Rejected - May 5th, 2012 [May 5th, 2012]
- FCC rejects Liberty Media bid for Sirius XM control - May 7th, 2012 [May 7th, 2012]
- Liberty Rocket Targets 2015 - May 10th, 2012 [May 10th, 2012]
- Liberty boosts SiriusXM stake above 45% - May 10th, 2012 [May 10th, 2012]
- One Liberty Properties, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2012 Results - May 10th, 2012 [May 10th, 2012]
- Liberty to boost stake in Sirius XM to 45 pct - May 10th, 2012 [May 10th, 2012]
- ATK Announces Complete Liberty System to Provide Commercial Crew Access - May 10th, 2012 [May 10th, 2012]
- Penn Liberty Wealth Advisors Expands - May 10th, 2012 [May 10th, 2012]
- Romney Woos Evangelicals at Liberty University - May 13th, 2012 [May 13th, 2012]
- Liberty opener moved to MSG due to hockey game - May 13th, 2012 [May 13th, 2012]
- Romney Defends Marriage and Faith in Liberty University Speech - May 13th, 2012 [May 13th, 2012]
- Romney Speaks At Anti-Gay Liberty University Alongside Baptist Billionaire - May 13th, 2012 [May 13th, 2012]
- Liberty Center girls, Archbold boys reign - May 13th, 2012 [May 13th, 2012]
- Romney Courts Christian Conservatives at Liberty U - May 13th, 2012 [May 13th, 2012]