Celebrating Food, Activism, and Black History Month with Jenné Claiborne
We had the pleasure of talking with Jenné Claiborne about her work, food, Black History Month, and her new cookbook. We hope you enjoy this interview and her recipe for her Amazing Edamame Salad.
Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your work.
I am the vegan chef, cookbook author, and content creator behind Sweet Potato Soul. Since 2010, I have been blogging and sharing delicious and nutritious vegan recipes with hungry readers. Committing to a vegan diet in 2011 set the course for my life and career in the best way, and I have never looked back.
How did you learn how to cook? What is your culinary story?
I learned how to cook by observing and assisting my grandmother and father in the kitchen. My dad was raised vegan, so I was familiar with plant-based cooking from a very young age. My grandmother is a classic soul food cook, but she made delicious and creative changes to her way of cooking when my family decided to stop eating red meat well before my birth. Growing up, I saw cooking as a way to creatively express love for family and friends, while also nourishing the body. My cuisine has always been inspired by my family, but also by the travels I’ve taken all over the world.
In your experience, how have you found food to tell a story and shape health, culture, and community?
Food is truly everything. You are what you eat. Food can tell a story about your origins and culture, your access, your knowledge, and your values. As a vegan who is inspired by soul food, global cuisine, and seasonality, I use food to tell a story of our abundantly beautiful world.
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