Farm to Table Salon: Jefferson, Hemings, and American Cuisine

The Chrysler Museum of Art is bringing back the historic French Salon tradition! The Farm to Table Salon Series provides an intimate and unique opportunity to probe beyond the surface of the canvas into the complex themes associated with the Farm to Table: Art, Food, and Identity in the Age of Impressionism exhibition. The artwork presents more than just French art and cuisine; it touches upon aesthetics, urban versus rural life, the relationship between food, gender, and identity, and so much more. Each salon will take place in the exhibition gallery to let the art inspire the discussion.

Join Emilie Johnson, the Curator of Arts and History at Monticello’s Thomas Jefferson Foundation and Dr. Kelley Fanto Deetz, Stratford Hall’s Vice President of Collections and Public Engagement, to explore the fascinating story of founding father Thomas Jefferson and his enslaved chef James Hemings. Jefferson brought Hemings to France – a journey with complex undertones – to learn French culinary skills. When returning to Monticello, Hemings brought recipes for dishes that remain staples of American tables today. Listen to Hemings’ story and the story of those who carried on his legacy and learn about the connections between French food and American tables.