Shop Our Spring Favorites
The Goodbye Kiss (Buffalo Soldier) – Katherine Roundtree 24×32 Black Framed – African American Black Art Print Wall Decor Poster
The Goodbye Kiss (Buffalo Soldier) – Katherine Roundtree 24×32 Black Framed – African American Black Art Print Wall Decor Poster
227 – TV SHOW 80’S CLASSIC SHOW PRINT, GIFT FOR BEST FRIEND, FOR MOM, HOME DECOR, BLACK ART POP ART, FEMINIST
227 – TV SHOW 80’S CLASSIC SHOW PRINT, GIFT FOR BEST FRIEND, FOR MOM, HOME DECOR, BLACK ART POP ART, FEMINIST
Gullah Spirit: The Art of Jonathan Green
Gullah Spirit: The Art of Jonathan Green
GULLAH GEECHEE HERITAGE IN THE GOLDEN ISLES (PAPERBACK)
GULLAH GEECHEE HERITAGE IN THE GOLDEN ISLES (PAPERBACK)
HBCU’s Canvas Print
HBCU’s Canvas Print
RING SHOUT GULLAH ISLANDS – UNFRAMED PRINT ON CANVAS WORLD MENAGERIE
RING SHOUT GULLAH ISLANDS – UNFRAMED PRINT ON CANVAS WORLD MENAGERIE
‘Beyonce’ Graphic Art Print on Wrapped Canvas Size: 18″ H x 26″ W x 1.5″ D
‘Beyonce’ Graphic Art Print on Wrapped Canvas Size: 18″ H x 26″ W x 1.5″ D
GULLAH IMAGES: THE ART OF JONATHAN GREEN
GULLAH IMAGES: THE ART OF JONATHAN GREEN
Amanti Art Funeral Procession Framed Art Print
Amanti Art Funeral Procession Framed Art Print
A Different World (TV) 11 x 17 TV Poster – Style A
A Different World (TV) 11 x 17 TV Poster – Style A
Goddesses by Synthia SAINT JAMES Canvas Wall Art 3 Piece
Goddesses by Synthia SAINT JAMES Canvas Wall Art 3 Piece
(27×40) Eve’s Bayou Movie Samuel L Jackson Lynn Whitfield Original Poster Print
(27×40) Eve’s Bayou Movie Samuel L Jackson Lynn Whitfield Original Poster Print
Dancing in The Living Room (Girls) – Katherine Roundtree 24×32 Black Framed – African American Black Art Print Wall Decor Poster
Dancing in The Living Room (Girls) – Katherine Roundtree 24×32 Black Framed – African American Black Art Print Wall Decor Poster
LEROY CAMPBELL CAREFREE HAND SIGNED AFRICAN AMERICAN ART
LEROY CAMPBELL CAREFREE HAND SIGNED AFRICAN AMERICAN ART
MASTER PIECE JOOK JOINT GULLAH ISLANDS WALL ART, 35X35
MASTER PIECE JOOK JOINT GULLAH ISLANDS WALL ART, 35X35
MASTER PIECE LESSONS GULLAH ISLANDS WALL ART, 35X35
MASTER PIECE LESSONS GULLAH ISLANDS WALL ART, 35X35
MY KIND OF NET ART PRINT BY GULLAH LIVING SERIES BY SAMANTHA CLAAR – X-LARGE
MY KIND OF NET ART PRINT BY GULLAH LIVING SERIES BY SAMANTHA CLAAR – X-LARGE
35″” x 35″” Juneteenth by Synthia Saint James Canvas Art Print – Masterpiece Art Gallery
35″” x 35″” Juneteenth by Synthia Saint James Canvas Art Print – Masterpiece Art Gallery
35″ X 35″ GULLAH GEECHEE CONJURE WOMAN BY SYNTHIA SAINT JAMES CANVAS ART PRINT – MASTERPIECE ART GALLERY
35″ X 35″ GULLAH GEECHEE CONJURE WOMAN BY SYNTHIA SAINT JAMES CANVAS ART PRINT – MASTERPIECE ART GALLERY
MASTER PIECE GATHERING GULLAH ISLANDS WALL ART, 30X40
MASTER PIECE GATHERING GULLAH ISLANDS WALL ART, 30X40
Yes. Jesus Loves Me (Religious) – Katherine Roundtree 16×20 Black Framed
Yes. Jesus Loves Me (Religious) – Katherine Roundtree 16×20 Black Framed
Gullah Spirituals – by Eric Sean Crawford (Paperback)
Homecoming
America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities: A Narrative History, 1837-2009
Gullah Spirit: The Art of Jonathan Green
Brown Sugar Kitchen Cookbook
Juneteenth Paper Dolls:
Black Girl Baking: Wholesome Recipes Inspired by a Soulful Upbringing
In Pursuit of Flavor: The Beloved Classic Cookbook from the Acclaimed Author of The Taste of Country Cooking
Little People Big Dreams Maya Angelou Book
GULLAH CUISINE: BY LAND AND BY SEA
GULLAH HOME COOKING THE DAUFUSKIE WAY: SMOKIN’ JOE BUTTER BEANS, OL’ ‘FUSKIE FRIED CRAB RICE, STICKY-BUSH BLACKBERRY DUMPLING, AND OTHER SEA ISLAND FAVORITES (PAPERBACK)
MAMA DOONK’S GULLAH RECIPES (PAPERBACK)
GULLAH IMAGES: THE ART OF JONATHAN GREEN
GROWING UP GULLAH IN THE LOWCOUNTRY (PAPERBACK)
AFRICAN AMERICAN LIFE IN THE GEORGIA LOWCOUNTRY: THE ATLANTIC WORLD AND THE GULLAH GEECHEE (RACE IN THE ATLANTIC WORLD, 1700–1900 SER.)
G IS FOR GULLAH
BLACK BORDER : GULLAH STORIES OF THE CAROLINA COAST
GULLAH NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS (HARDCOVER)
TALKING TO THE DEAD : RELIGION, MUSIC, AND LIVED MEMORY AMONG GULLAH/GEECHEE WOMEN
GULLAH CULTURE IN AMERICA (PAPERBACK)
GULLAH DAYS: HILTON HEAD ISLANDERS BEFORE THE BRIDGE 1861-1956
THE JOHN HOPE FRANKLIN AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE: MAKING GULLAH: A HISTORY OF SAPELO ISLANDERS, RACE, AND THE AMERICAN IMAGINATION (PAPERBACK)

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

Celebrating the History of Black Military Cooks & Culinary Professionals

Celebrating the History of Black Military Cooks & Culinary Professionals

Celebrating the History of Black Military Cooks & Culinary Professionals

African Americans have a long history of serving the United States in the armed forces. Black people have fought on the frontline as well as supported the rear since The French-Indian War, when they defended the colonies against Native Americans, with little to no rights of citizenship let alone the privilege of white militia. Throughout the early history of this country, when Black men and women could not be trusted with a gun for fear of uprisings, they could be entrusted to feed people. The following men and women are but a few examples of people who served their country while serving meals. 

Mrs. Hannah Archer Till (1721-1826) was born enslaved in Kent County, Delaware. Before joining Generals George Washington and Marquis de Lafayette as a military cook during the Revolutionary War, she’d been sold three times, purchased her own freedom and married to Isaac Till, a whip maker who volunteered his service. The couple were personal servants to George Washington for two years, before Washington lent her out to Lafayette, who remained in touch with her after the war and is said to have assisted her financially. In 2015, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) honored her as a patriot of the American Revolutionary War, and her female descendants are eligible for membership. 

Charles Ball or Charles Gross (1780 – Unknown) was born enslaved on a Maryland tobacco plantation. Sold multiple times and separated from his family, Ball was hired out or leased to serve as a cook on the frigate USS Congress that was launched in 1799. After that service, he was willed to the granddaughter of a slaveholder, and would ultimately serve in the U.S. Navy during the War of 1812. He was first a cook, then armed to serve as militia. After the war, he fled from enslavement to refuge in Pennsylvania until the end of his life. 

William H. Dove, an enslaved man, joined the Confederate 5th North Carolina Cavalry as a cook in 1863. Dove was one of 5 unit cooks, and had most likely joined the man who enslaved him as was common practice with the Confederacy. Ann Lewis was a Union hire from Alabama who cooked for Union soldiers in Virginia.  

According to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Buffalo Soldier “Samuel Bridgwater joined the 24th Infantry Regiment in the 1880s. In 1892, he married Mamie Anderson and brought her to Fort Huachuca, Arizona. After being wounded fighting in the Philippines, he served as a cook.” 

John A. Moaney, Jr. (1914-1978) had only been in the military for nine months when he was summoned to interview for and selected to be General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s personal valet and cook during World War II. Moaney would often prepare the general’s breakfast and grilled alongside Eisenhower, who loved to cook. He was relieved of his cooking duties by his wife Dolores, who took over as Eisenhower’s personal cook as he continued to valet. 

By the Korean War, there were some Black soldiers in combat, however, the vast majority were assigned to labor and support roles in the armed forces, including mess hall duty as cooks and caterers. President Harry S. Truman ended discrimination and segregation in the United States armed forces, leaving room for an expansion of leadership and combat roles for Black soldiers. 

Now Black military cooks are more than cooks. They are a part of a specialized culinary arts team, providing services of all kinds (wine stewarding, butchery, creating menus, etc.) to soldiers, leaders and even visiting dignitaries. 

White House chef and combat veteran Andre Rush has taken his expertise to the White House for special occasions to cook for several presidents. He was Chef in the United States Military and
Member of the United States Culinary Arts Team. Chef Roshara Sanders is the first Black female instructor at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA). She is also an army veteran that enlisted in the Army to take advantage of the GI Bill, which helped pay her way through CIA.  

Advertisements

The Black presence in military kitchens is a longstanding history that has evolved throughout the centuries. Black military cooks are no longer relegated to working in kitchens. They are now privileged to choose how to use their gifts and talents in the kitchen and beyond military service. And we thank them for their service. 

Robin Caldwell

Robin Caldwell is the blogger behind freshandfriedhard.com and a public historian and researcher focusing on Black culinary traditions and foodways.

More Posts

3

Comments

comments

Follow:
Robin Caldwell

Robin Caldwell is the blogger behind freshandfriedhard.com and a public historian and researcher focusing on Black culinary traditions and foodways.

Find me on: Instagram

Share:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Instagram
1   76
22   594
21   1250
9   44
25   1430

Follow on Instagram

Shop Our Favorites!
LEROY CAMPBELL CAREFREE HAND SIGNED AFRICAN AMERICAN ART
Gullah Spirit: The Art of Jonathan Green
35″” x 35″” Juneteenth by Synthia Saint James Canvas Art Print – Masterpiece Art Gallery
‘Beyonce’ Graphic Art Print on Wrapped Canvas Size: 18″ H x 26″ W x 1.5″ D
HBCU’s Canvas Print
A Different World (TV) 11 x 17 TV Poster – Style A
(27×40) Eve’s Bayou Movie Samuel L Jackson Lynn Whitfield Original Poster Print
Yes. Jesus Loves Me (Religious) – Katherine Roundtree 16×20 Black Framed
Dancing in The Living Room (Girls) – Katherine Roundtree 24×32 Black Framed – African American Black Art Print Wall Decor Poster
The Goodbye Kiss (Buffalo Soldier) – Katherine Roundtree 24×32 Black Framed – African American Black Art Print Wall Decor Poster
Amanti Art Funeral Procession Framed Art Print
Goddesses by Synthia SAINT JAMES Canvas Wall Art 3 Piece
227 – TV SHOW 80’S CLASSIC SHOW PRINT, GIFT FOR BEST FRIEND, FOR MOM, HOME DECOR, BLACK ART POP ART, FEMINIST
MASTER PIECE LESSONS GULLAH ISLANDS WALL ART, 35X35
GULLAH IMAGES: THE ART OF JONATHAN GREEN
GULLAH GEECHEE HERITAGE IN THE GOLDEN ISLES (PAPERBACK)
MASTER PIECE JOOK JOINT GULLAH ISLANDS WALL ART, 35X35
MY KIND OF NET ART PRINT BY GULLAH LIVING SERIES BY SAMANTHA CLAAR – X-LARGE
35″ X 35″ GULLAH GEECHEE CONJURE WOMAN BY SYNTHIA SAINT JAMES CANVAS ART PRINT – MASTERPIECE ART GALLERY
RING SHOUT GULLAH ISLANDS – UNFRAMED PRINT ON CANVAS WORLD MENAGERIE
MASTER PIECE GATHERING GULLAH ISLANDS WALL ART, 30X40
Shop Now

Click to Shop!

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

Shares
• powered by chloédigital