Demi Unique

This Black History Month 2021, Black Artist Research Space collaborated with culinary artist, chef, and organizer Demi Unique to curate a selection of recipes that hold historical significance + connection in the Black community.

With these curated recipes, Demi Unique sheds insight into staple dishes within the Black community and highlights how specific ingredients have become pillars in our kitchens and cooking practices. Learn more about each recipe and Demi’s practice below!

About Demi Unique: 

“i’m a culinary artist, chef and organizer that chooses food as my favorite medium of expression.food is a basic need but it’s also so much more than that. i view food as an instrument of connection. it connects us to the earth, to one another, and to our ancestors. food is emotional. it tells stories of the past and connects us to memories. i’ve had the privilege of growing up in the kitchen creating memories with elders that cooked with so much love. from them, food became my love language.

in 2015, i adopted a plant-based lifestyle. after a year filled with lots of cooking, research, and enthusiasm, i launched a vegan catering company, demEATS. through the company, i catered private events, and offered personal chef and meal prep services in d.c, m.d. and v.a. this inspired me to deepen my knowledge and strengthen my skills in the culinary arts. originally from washington, d.c., i moved to brooklyn, n.y. in 2019 to further my studies at the institute of culinary education in the health-supportive program. while in school, i worked my way up from sous to head chef at greedi vegan. now, i’m building the foundation for my life’s work, my soul’s purpose.”

 

want to learn how to make each recipe?

Watch below as Demi Unique discusses corn, the development of cornbread, and its regional nuances in this Ginger Cornbread recipe as well as the historical significance of Gullah red rice and its connection to the diaspora.

 
 

Ginger Cornbread recipe

Gullah red rice recipe