Food for Thought: Yams and Sweet Potatoes

"Our food is our flag...It sits at the intersection of the South, Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America." -Michael Twitty, Culinary Historian

A special thanks to our talented chefs, whose scrumptious dishes and sent us home with full bellies and plates of leftovers. We are also grateful to local businesses, especially Sophisticated Soul and Sheila's Cakes in Reidsville. Pictured from left to right: Jordan Rossi, Carolyn Flemmings, Valencia Abbott, Deborah R. Dillard, Cathy Scales, Janet Rakestraw, Bob Carter, Bonnie Brooks, Marcia Jones, Sheila Collins, Lamont Fields, and Daphne Roach.

Sophisticated Soul

Our Food, Our History

Sweet Potato Cobbler. Sweet Potato Pudding. Sweet Potato cake, and pie, and biscuits, and casserole, and more! Attendees on Saturday afternoon piled plates high with these delightful tubers, and settled in for a presentation by Valencia Abbott, chair of the History Department and history club at Rockingham County Early College High School, about sweet potatoes, yams, and history for Black History Month. You can view Abbott's presentation by following the link below.

Sheila's Cakes

Click Here to View Presentation

Many of us grew up using the words "yam" and "sweet potato" interchangeably, but it turns out they're from entirely different continents. Most of us have never eaten a real Yam; however, they can be purchased at African Markets. The yam pictured was picked up in Greensboro.

Sweet Potatoes

So, why did we all grow up calling sweet potatoes yams? The answer to that lies in the history of the yam and sweet potato. Check out Ms. Abbott's presentation to learn more. Make sure to click on all the links for additional information.

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