ETA Creative Arts Foundation is planning to serve a very special appetizer to its production of “Comfort Stew” Friday.
It’s “Talk N’ Taste,” a book-signing reception with Vertamae Grosvenor, a writer, poet, culinary anthropologist and actress (who will play a featured role in Oprah Winfrey’s forthcoming movie production of Toni Morrison’s award-winning book, “Beloved”). Grosvenor, host of PBS’s “The Americas’ Family Kitchen” and a cultural correspondent on National Public Radio, will be on hand at 6 p.m. Friday to sign copies of her new book, “Vertamae Cooks in The Americas’ Family Kitchen,” and discuss how African tastes and traditions have influenced the various cuisines of the Americas.
“One of the things that’s been my motivation is the absence of scholarly interest in the food ways of blacks and the Diaspora throughout the Americas,” says Grosvenor, who has conducted culinary investigations for 30 years. “I find it interesting to talk about the way the taste of Africa is in the Americas. The Africans came and brought with them — just like music and basketmaking — their culinary skills.”
“Talk N’ Taste” precedes ETA’s 8 p.m. mainstage performance of “Comfort Stew” Friday. $15. ETA Square, 7558 S. South Chicago Ave. 773-752-3955.
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