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user-image: 2021 Fall Conversation (1)

Fall Conversation: How Has Food Mended Cambridge?

In this program on Monday, Nov. 15, History Cambridge examines the ways in which the proliferation of restaurants serving Asian, African, Latin American and Middle Eastern cuisine impacted Cambridge in the 20th century. Over the course of 2021, History Cambridge has been exploring the ways in which the city has repaired its social, economic and political fabric in the wake of historical crisis points—as well as the ways in which the need for mending remains. As a means of both physical and emotional nourishment, food has played a central part in the creation of family and community ties in the city. To what extent did the presence of these restaurants create a deeper awareness of the struggles and contributions of immigrants to the city? How did the act of eating “new” types of food affect how Cantabrigians thought about the political climate of the 20th century?

History Cambridge will be joined in this program by Dr. Merry White, professor of anthropology at Boston University; Dr. Megan Alias, director of the gastronomy program at Boston University; and Gus Rancatore, Cambridge restauranteur and author. Together they will discuss the ways in which Cambridge’s restaurant community was changed by the emergence of a variety of diverse cuisines over the past century, examining the ways in which food has served as a means of connection and how it has, at times, fallen short of this goal. The panel presentation will be followed by Q&A with the audience for a deeper exploration of the role of foodways in mending Cambridge. Donations are encouraged to attend this free presentation.

Location

159 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA

West Cambridge

Website

https://historycambridge.org/featured/fall-conversation-how-has-food-mended-cambridge/

Date & Time

  • Tue Nov 16, 2021

    • 12:00am - 1:30am

Type

  • Historical
  • Lectures / Talks