Foodways Texas Hosts 9th Annual Symposium in Brenham

In 2010 in College Station, a small group of Texas farmers, fishermen, academics, historians and writers gathered and agreed to form an alliance dedicated to preserving, promoting and celebrating the food cultures of Texas. Spearheaded by Robb Walsh, along with Professor Elizabeth Engelhardt, Jim Gossen, Levi Goode and the Caswell family, the Foodways Texas alliance was born. Modeled on the Southern Foodways Alliance, Texas Foodways is a grassroots organization that celebrates all contributions to our diverse culinary heritage. Since its first symposium in Galveston in 2011, the organization has contributed to the food history of Texas through publications (including the production of documentary films and building an oral history archive), annual symposiums and regional events like the annual barbecue camp in collaboration with Texas A&M.

“We need to continue documenting the more recognized aspects of our culinary heritage, but we also need to recognize and document the amazing culinary diversity of Texas, both throughout our history and in the present day,” says Marvin Bendele, executive director of Foodways Texas.

Coming up April 25–27 in Brenham is the ninth annual symposium: A Texas Potluck! For more information, visit foodwaystexas.com.