Hundreds turn out at Tubman Museum to ‘break bread’

The International Taste of Soul at the Tubman Museum on Sunday afternoon in downtown Macon was all about breaking down cultural barriers by breaking bread, an organizer said.

“Food brings us together,” said Harold Young, the museum’s special events manager. “It’s sort of like a fellowship.”

He estimated more than 500 people came out during the three-hour “Around the Rotunda in 80 Dishes.” The event featured foods from across the globe from African to Asian dishes to Southern soul food.

Kay Stephens, event chairman and longtime museum volunteer, said not only were folks asked to create dishes from across the continents but also to dress the part.

The annual event generates funds for the museum’s Pan African Festival and for the museum’s educational programs.

In addition to great food, the event included cultural performances by Ken and Karen Hicks of KHicks Contemporary Ballroom Dancing; Paula East, a professional ballroom dance instructor who lives in Macon; and the Hayiya Dance Theatre.

Chef G. Garvin of Atlanta, a cookbook author and television host, was a special guest of the event. He did not prepare food but fielded questions from the audience. A young man asked him about how to enter into his profession.

“I think for anyone who’s interested in the world of culinary arts, I think the most important thing is to understand what it means to be a chef,” Garvin said. “Get rid of celebrityship because what’s important is how you maintain the integrity of the industry.

“What is important is the food. It’s always about the food. It’s never about the person. It’s always about the food,” he said.

The most important thing to do for anyone who aspires to be a chef is to be a great cook, Garvin said.

“And enjoy being a great cook until you become a great chef, and anything else after that is a plus,” he said. “If you have television defined as an aspiration, I think that’s the second phase of your learning after you have accomplished what it really means to be in your culinary field.

“It’s not about the money. It’s not about TV. It’s about the integrity of food. That’s how I feel,” he said.

Garvin also gave 7-year-old Kaitlyn Watkins a $100 bill after no one in the audience was able to guess his favorite food, which was popcorn. Had anyone guessed correctly, she’d have had to split the prize money. Garvin said no one has ever guessed correctly before.

Garvin told the girl, who have him a hug, to put the money in the bank.

Participants also had the opportunity to tour the museum during the event.

Dennis Banks of Orlando, Florida, did just that. He’s been visiting a friend in Warner Robins and drove up for the event. He said he needed to walk off some that good food.

Banks also brought a cookbook authored by Garvin.

Banks said he had visited the Tubman Museum before at it’s former location. But Sunday was the first time he’d had the opportunity to check out its new home on Cherry Street.

“I think it’s beautiful,” Banks said. “It’s totally an upgrade from the last time I was here.”

Banks said the museum and events like the International Taste of Soul are important “for the history -- for all humanity to know what everybody has gone through to get to where we are now.”

Young asked the public to continue to support the museum.

“We need your support,” he said. “Memberships are available. We also have group tours, special events .. weddings, class reunions.”

Anyone interested in supporting the museum or scheduling an event may call Young at 478-845-3852.

To contact writer Becky Purser, call 256-9559.

This story was originally published August 30, 2015 at 9:23 PM with the headline "Hundreds turn out at Tubman Museum to ‘break bread’ ."