What’s Cookin’ at Miriam’s Kitchen

Miriam's Kitchen guest Fred Owens reads the final chapter of "A Lesson Before Dying" before the Miriam's Kitchen discussion group

Apparently, the Big Read is a big deal at Miriam’s Kitchen.  Miriam’s Kitchen, which provides services to the homeless including healthy, wholesome meals, art classes, and support, has been reading A Lesson Before Dying and cooking up some fun activities for their guests.

Deputy director Catherine Crum says the volunteers and guests have watched the HBO film adaptation twice (once with the Spanish language track), and have been reading the book to persons who cannot read.  The guests, chef, and kitchen staff have engaged in a discussion on “comfort food” in anticipation of a themed dinner planned as part of their reading of A Lesson Before Dying for the Big Read DC.

Miriam's Kitchen guest Jim Eads educates Chef Steve Badt on "comfort foods" in preparation for a special meal at Miriam's Kitchen.

“Comfort Food” is the title for an exhibit created by the artists at Miriam’s Kitchen opening 6:30 PM, Wednesday, April 21 at the Whole Foods Market in Tenleytown (4530 40th St., NW). The “Comfort Food” theme was taken from the interactions between Grant and Jefferson when Grant brings home cooked food to the jailhouse from Jefferson’s godmother.  Food is the first point of contact between the two men in the Big Read book.

The “Comfort Food” art event is free and open to the public.  At this point, we don’t have any previews of the art, but it’s expected that “fried chicken” will make an appearance as a subject.

To find out more about Miriam’s Kitchen or how you can volunteer, visit www.miriamskitchen.org.

To learn more about the foodways in A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines, read “Louisiana Foodways In A Lesson Before Dying“ by Courtney Ramsay.