lecture

Lecture and Tasting at African American Museum in Philadelphia

Saturday, February 2Lecture and Tasting with Chef Wheeler Del Torro ~ 1 – 3p

Sit back and relax while food historian, author and lecturer Chef Wheeler del Torro discusses soul food through the lenses of history, culture and gastronomy, then prepares and shares samples with 30 lucky visitors. This presentation discusses the African heritage of this uniquely American cuisine, its generational interpretations and its significance as food that confers centuries of cultural heritage, while also presenting options for creating healthier interpretations of familiar dishes.

Wheeler del Torro divides his time exploring issues of food justice and the historical and cultural links between food and community. He encourages his guests to live healthier, more connected lives through food. His passion for cooking and lifetime of experiences around the world inspired him to host dinner parties, create an innovative gourmet non-dairy ice cream line, open Wheeler’s Café & Dessert Bar in Boston in 2007, and write his first book The Vegan Scoop, currently available in bookstores world-wide.

Free With Museum Admission. Space is Limited and Registration in Required. To Register, Visit: www.aamp.ticketleap.com/chefwheeler

Lecture at the Culinary Arts Museum

Johnson and Wales University
Johnson and Wales University

Visit us in Rhode Island at the Culinary Arts Museum at Johnson and Wales University for a celebration of food and African American culture. The event is free and open to the public.

Lecture by Chef Wheeler del Torro at the Culinary Arts Museum:

“Slavery to Freedom at the Kitchen Table:

a Historical Look at Soul Food from 1830-1975”

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — January 2013 —The Culinary Arts Museum is pleased to announce that Chef Wheeler del Torro will be on campus to deliver a lecture which encompasses a historical and anthropological look into the study of Soul Food.

Wheeler del Torro began his investigation study of food while growing up in Jamaica. Whipping up hot chocolate “tea” and other Jamaican specialties with his father, he observed the associations between food, relationships, and imparting cultural heritage. “I have always been fascinated with the concept of food as a vehicle to prompt connections between people and to communicate history, values, and relationships,” says Wheeler.

Since leaving Jamaica, del Torro has lived in Boston, Philadelphia, New York, London, Paris, and many places in between. His passion for cooking and lifetime of experiences around the world inspired him to host dinner parties, create an innovative gourmet non-dairy ice cream line, open a café and dessert bar, and write his first book The Vegan Scoop, currently available in bookstores world-wide.

In addition to running his businesses, Wheeler del Torro is sought after for motivational and informative lectures, as well as consulting businesses and authors. During his appearances, del Torro shares his inspiring story, unique perspective, wealth of experience, and insight into building innovative green businesses. Del Torro particularly enjoys bringing his message to students and entrepreneurs, encouraging them to create their own paths to success in the ever-changing business world.

Culinary Arts Museum

This lecture is free and open to the Johnson & Wales community and the public. Due to limited seating, it is a first-come, first-served event. The lecture will be held in the museum theater on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 and will begin at 6:00 pm. Please call the museum at 401-598-2805 with any questions. For more information about Chef Wheeler del Torro, please visit his website, www.wheelerdeltorro.com.

Location & Directions

The Culinary Arts Museum is located at 315 Harborside Boulevard on the Providence and Cranston city line, in Rhode Island. From I-95, take Exit 18 and follow the sign to Allens Avenue. At the traffic light, turn right onto Allens Avenue and go straight for one mile. The street name will change to Narragansett Boulevard; continue straight. Turn left after the Shell gas station at the traffic light onto Harborside Boulevard. The Museum is located in the first building on the left. Parking is available in front of museum.

Johnson & Wales University (JWU), founded in 1914, is a nonprofit, private, accredited institution with campuses in Providence, R.I.; North Miami, Fla.; Denver, Colo.; and Charlotte, N.C. An innovative educational leader, JWU offers a broad range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs that inspire professional success and lifelong personal and intellectual growth by integrating arts & sciences and experiential education with leadership and personal development opportunities. For more information, visit www.jwu.edu.