Tenement Museum Launches Foodie Series “Culinary Conversations”

The Tenement Museum is now aboard the foodie bandwagon with some new programming called “Culinary Conversations.” Starting October 4, the Lower East Side institution will host ten evening gatherings that collectively explore the “vibrant food life of immigrant New York, both past and present.” Led by best-selling author Jane Ziegelman (97 Orchard: An Edible History of Five Immigrant Families in One New York Tenement), this new neighborhood series will welcome figureheads from the food world to lead conversations, tastings, cooking demonstrations, and screenings.

The inaugural night in October – “Back to the Store!” – will feature conversations with Wilson Tang of Nom Wah Tea Parlor as well as Nikki Russ Federman and Josh Russ Tupper from Russ & Daughters. Topic of discussion is leadership roles in their respective immigrant-founded food businesses. The full schedule is not yet available, but here’s what’s lined up:

• November 15 – “Mile End” – Noah and Rae Bernamoff will be in the house discussing their cookbook.
• December 11 – “Gran Cocina Latina” – Restaurateur, chef and author, Maricel Presilla talks about Pan-Latin cuisine here in New York City.
• January 22 – “Welcome to Kutsher’s” – a screening of the film followed by tastings.
• February 12 – “Mission Chinese” – conversation with long-locked Chef Danny Bowien.

“Culinary Conversations” costs $30 per person, and is held at the 103 Orchard Street visitors center.