Florida A&M University alumnus Rashaunda Grant serves up tailgating bits inspired by HBCUs
HBCU Tailgate Culture is a new series highlighting the HBCU’s lifestyle, cultural cuisines, celebrations, and the memories, celebrations, and inspiration of former alums.
Chef Rashaunda Grant, the owner of The Carolina Cookery, is a James Island, SC native and proud alumnus of Florida A&M University (FAMU). Combining classical techniques with traditional Gullah-Geechee recipes and foodways, Rashaunda describes her style as “Southern Soul Re-imagined.”Â
“My decision to attend an HBCU had a lot to do with family tradition. I just wanted to be in a safe learning environment where I could be myself and explore my culture while having a quality education,” shares Rashaunda. At FAMU, Rashaunda made home-cooked Gullah Geechee meals, which many of her fellow students were surprised by but thoroughly enjoyed.
Rashaunda Grant cooked a bevy of delicious tailgating bites inspired by HBCUs from her FAMU Rattler Rolls and Tuskegee Golden Tiger Puffs to her Prairie View Pork Sliders while sharing her favorite HBCU memories.
Chef Notes: The Prairie View A&M Pulled Pork Sliders are Texas-style barbecues with a little more heat and more peppers than in a traditional Carolina barbecue. To mellow out the heat, add a little melted cheddar jack cheese.
“My decision to attend an HBCU had a lot to do with family tradition. I just wanted to be in a safe learning environment where I could be myself and explore my culture while having a quality education,” shares Rashaunda.
She shared her favorite homecoming memory as the first she attended after graduation, relating it to coming home. The reunion brought her back together with old friends and professors here. It really feels more like a reunion and a coming home. “And after the game, after the party, you’re gonna want to try to hit the gospel concert on Saturday before you go. Come on, it’s a blessing. It’s a benediction time before you head back home.”
Rashaunda’s advice for attending in-person tailgates – “To be honest, you just want to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
In keeping with her light bites, she represented her alma mater with FAMU Rattler Rolls. “I wanted to keep things light, and it’s important to stay hydrated.” she shares. These thinly sliced cucumbers are rolled up with cream cheese and salmon. Her flavorful and HBCU inspired bites are the perfect addition for any tailgating menu.
To learn more about Rashaunda Grant, her tailgating menu, and HBCU lifestyle experiences follow along with us at HBCU Tailgate Inspiration.
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