Food isn't just about eating; it's a gateway to culture, history, and self-sufficiency. That's why I'm beyond excited to be the lead instructor for the Black Girls Cook Miami Winter 2025 Cohort! This program, founded by the amazing Chef Nichole A. Mooney, empowers young Black girls through hands-on lessons in cooking, nutrition, gardening, and food history, all while celebrating the African Diaspora.
If you're passionate about food, education, and community, you'll want to keep reading and maybe even find a way to support this incredible initiative. Support Black Girls Cook Today!
Table of Contents
Jump to:
What is Black Girls Cook?
Founded by Chef Nichole A. Mooney, Black Girls Cook is more than a cooking class, it's a movement. Through their programs, young Black girls learn essential kitchen skills, explore the science behind food, and connect with their culinary heritage. The goal? To inspire confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of good food.
This season, I had the honor of leading the Miami Winter 2025 Cohort, and let me tell you, it was already shaping up to be an unforgettable experience. With my cooking assistant, Jennifer, by my side, we guided these young chefs through a curriculum that blended history, technique, and, of course, plenty of delicious food.
Inside the Miami Winter 2025 Cohort
Each week, we dived into a new ingredient or dish, uncovering its roots and learning hands-on cooking techniques. Here's a sneak peek at what we're covering:
Week 1: The Story About Rice
Rice isn't just a side dish; it's a symbol of resilience and tradition. Our students are learning about rice cultivation in the Carolinas, the Gullah Geechee people, and how enslaved Africans brought rice-growing expertise to America. Cooking-wise, they're mastering boiling rice with broth, sautéing proteins, and making a flavorful one-pot meal featuring chicken and shrimp.
Want to learn more about rice cultivation in the Carolinas and the Gullah Geechee people? Then, check out Discovering The Legacy of African Cultures by The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor.
Week 2: The Story About Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes have nourished communities for centuries, and in this class, we're highlighting their versatility and rich history. The girls have learned to distinguish between sweet potatoes and yams, make sweet potato pancakes from scratch, and whip up the perfect scrambled eggs and compound butter.
Do you know the history of the sweet potato in African American cuisine in the United States? Check out It's time to decolonize, demystify, and debunk all the misinformation around yams by Magdalena O'Neal on Ghetto Gastro.
Week 3: The Story About Watermelon
This lesson dives deep into the complex history of watermelon in America, from its symbolism of freedom to the stereotypes that persist today. We're also getting hands-on with knife skills, learning to cut a whole watermelon, make a refreshing green salad, and emulsify a vinaigrette.
Looking to learn more about the complex history of watermelon in America? Check out How Watermelon Became a Powerful Symbol of Racism, But Also Resistance by Dr. Allison Wiltz.
Week 4: The Story About Rasta Pasta
A Caribbean-Italian fusion dish, Rasta Pasta is colorful, bold, and full of history. This week, the students are learning about Jamaican cuisine, the legacy of Black women in the culinary industry, and how to make jerk seasoning from scratch. Plus, they'll be perfecting pasta boiling techniques to create a creamy, flavor-packed dish.
Looking for a Rasta Pasta recipe? I highly recommend trying Rasta Pasta Recipe (Creamy Caribbean Pasta) by Tanya of M Forking Life.
Celebrating Black History Month in the Kitchen
Since our cohort runs through February, we're also celebrating Black History Month in the best way possible through food. Each lesson highlights the ways Black people have influenced global cuisine, from the Gullah Geechee rice traditions to the Rastafarian flavors of Jamaica.
Food is storytelling, and these young chefs are learning to tell their own stories one recipe at a time.
What is Black History Month? Learn about The Origins of Black History Month from ASALH, The Founders of Black History Month.
How You Can Support Black Girls Cook
This work is bigger than just one class. Black Girls Cook is shaping the future by giving young Black girls the skills and knowledge to thrive in and beyond the kitchen. If you want to be part of this mission, here's how you can help:
- Donate - Your contributions help fund programs, provide ingredients, and expand access to culinary education.
- Spread the Word - Share this blog post, tell a friend, and get the conversation going.
- Visit BlackGirlsCook.org to learn more about their mission and upcoming events.
Together, we can nourish not just bodies, but minds and futures. Let's keep cooking, learning, and making a difference one dish at a time.
Chef Nichole & Madison on the Kelly Clarkson Show!
Get impressed with their Media Press!
Cooking Tips and Tutorials
If you found this tutorial helpful, you'll love my Cook's Notebook collection. From knife skills and flavor bases to time-saving tricks and essential equipment guides, this section is packed with chef-tested lessons to help you cook with confidence.
- How the Maillard Reaction Makes Food Taste Better
- How to Store Fresh Berries So They Last Longer (Without Getting Mushy)
- Internal Meat Temperature Chart (Printable Guide)
- How to Tell When Fish Is Done Cooking - Home Cooks Guide
African American Recipes
Looking for meal inspirations? Try these from the African Diaspora:
- West African Peanut Stew with Chicken and Collard Greens
- How to Make Ata Gige Paste - A Nigerian Aromatic Base for Cooking
- Spicy Zhug Chicken Pita Sandwich with Spinach Date Salad
- Spicy Falafel Pita Sandwich & Lemon Tahini Dressing
Chef Maika Frederic-Liebman
Chef and Educator
Professionally trained Haitian-American chef Maika Frederic is the creator of Just Maika Cooking, where she shares globally inspired recipes, cooking techniques, ingredient guides, and food safety tips designed to help home cooks become more creative and confident in the kitchen. Combining years of professional culinary experience with a passion for teaching, she makes global flavors approachable through practical, accessible instruction for cooks of every skill level.
Leave a Reply