Food Historians to Follow Great Migration

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Apr 15, 2008 4:49PM

The Great Migration of the 20th Century was one of the seminal events that changed the demographics of Chicago. Between 1900 and 1970, African Americans came to the north in wave seeking a better life. From 1940-1960 the black population in Chicago increased from 278,000 to 813,000. It helped spur the Golden Age of Bronzeville and gave us such local soul food treasures as Army & Lou's and Lem's BBQ.

The Southern Foodways Alliance at the University of Mississippi is planning a series of events in town from May 23-25 tracing the footsteps of those who came before. Among the events planned are a catfish fry and blues at Hideout, a tribute to Edna Stewart and other famous Chicago soul food cooks at West Town Tavern, a tour of the Maxwell Street Market, an introduction to the mother-in-law sandwich, and a bourbon tasting at Delilah's.

More information can be found at the Southern Foodways website, where you can also download an application for the weekend's events.