Chef Kevin Mitchell Pays Tribute to the African American Cooks of Drayton Hall
April 27, 2019
A memorable evening, indeed! Chef Kevin Mitchell paid tribute to the African American cooks of Drayton Hall at a Society of 1738 program, by devising a tasteful menu of offerings, borrowed from historical research of the Drayton Papers and enriched by his own expertise as a chef with a deep knowledge of tradition. The accent was on local foods, which were prepared by his students at the Culinary Institute of Charleston.
Chef Mitchell, a well-renowned young chef in Charleston, took his Masters in Southern Studies from the University of Mississippi with my son George, and is a friend of his and mine. He explained each course and added the all-important human dimension to the story behind the dinner he prepared.
At the table with Mary Sue and me was Drayton Hall’s new curator of education, Amber Nicole Satterthwaite, and historian David Shields, who has written a number of books on Southern cuisine and cooking, and is a mentor to Kevin. We had interesting discussions about the history of rice and my experiences with food in West Africa.
A special treat was to see friends from Drayton Hall, and for all of us to gather for this fine dinner in the new George W. McDaniel Education Center, a year after it opened as part of the Sally Reahard Visitors Center. Congratulations to Carter C. Hudgins, staff, and Board, and to Kevin for producing it. It was a pleasure for Mary Sue and me to participate in its being put to such memorable use.
With my wife Mary Sue and Chef Kevin Mitchell
Chef Kevin Mitchell welcoming guests and describing the traditions behind the evening’s menu.
“A Night To Remember” at the George W. McDaniel Education Center
University of Mississippi Masters Program graduation with far left: my son George McDaniel, and far right: Kevin Mitchell
Drayton Hall Circa 1738
George W. McDaniel, Ph.D., is President of McDaniel Consulting, LLC, a strategy firm that helps organizations use history to build bridges within itself and to its broader constituents. The company’s tag line, “Building Bridges through History,” is grounded in McDaniel’s personal beliefs and his experience in site management, preservation, education, board development, fundraising, and community outreach. Rather than using history to divide us, he strives to help organizations use history, especially local history, to enhance cross-cultural understanding and to support local museums, preservation, and education. Dr. McDaniel led volunteer efforts with Emanuel AME Church and historical organizations in Charleston to use historic preservation to enhance racial reconciliation and healing. McDaniel is also the Executive Director Emeritus of Drayton Hall, a historic site in Charleston, SC, owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He retired from Drayton Hall in 2015 after 25 years of distinguished service.
A frequent writer, speaker, and facilitator about such issues, he can be reached at gmcdaniel4444@gmail.com or through his website at www.mcdanielconsulting.net.
Header Image: Society of 1738 Event with Chef Kevin Mitchell introducing each course.
All images courtesy of the author unless otherwise noted.
McDaniel Consulting LLC is a strategy firm that helps organizations use history to build bridges within itself and its broader constituents.