Chinese Food and Plant Cultures in the Delaware Valley (virtual, afternoon)

Part of the Cooking Cultures series

February 2, 9, 16, 23, March 2

*Afternoon series will be presentation/discussion only.*

*Join us at 6 pm for cooking demonstrations and recipes to cook along*

Contact btobin@pa.gov with questions.

In each afternoon virtual session, we will discuss the historic and cultural significance of the food and we are discussing in context of the peoples who have settled in the Delaware Valley.

Feb 16: Chinese Food and Plant Cultures in the Delaware Valley

Historians say Chinese workers in California’s Gold Rush launched Chinatown settlements in every major American city, including Philadelphia. However, Asian foods, plants, and medicines have traveled to North America for thousands of years, with help from human and animal hosts. We explore some of the welcome flavors as well as invasive plants from China that are now at home in Pennsylvania.

Southeastern Pennsylvania is the perfect place to taste and savor many early and lasting influences on the foods we grow, harvest and eat. In five weekly workshops, we sample some of Pennsylvania’s heritage groups via their food and gardening traditions. 

Feb 2: Pennsylvania German Foodways in the Delaware Valley

Feb 9: The Influence of French Cooks and Cuisines in the Delaware Valley

Feb 23: Women in the Kitchen: The birth of Domestic Science in the Delaware Valley.  

March 2: Philadelphia’s Soda Pop History: The Evolution of Drinks in the Delaware Valley

Presenters: Cassandra Stancil Gunkel, PhD and Bonnie Tobin, MEd

In partnership with Friends Life Care VigR