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Welcome to our culinary journey

We pay homage to global food traditions through pop-up dining experiences, diasporic culinary classes and storytelling.
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About Us

Food & Folklore operates on a distinctive model that finds its foundation in culture, connection, and curiosity. We recognize that, for many, the journey into the world of food begins at home. In our case, home is both here (in America) and there (in the foreign lands we yearn for). Our focus revolves around the compelling question, “What does home taste like for you?” This inquiry drives our exploration of travel, nostalgia, belonging, identity, and the experiences of people of color (POC) and immigrants, forming the core of our services.

Our Founder, Tamika R. Francis.

Tamika R. Francis (she/her) has a dual career as a public health practitioner and culinary entrepreneur. As a public health practitioner, she designs and delivers training and capacity-building curricula in racial justice, health equity, and public health. Her culinary work has included permaculture, farm, and food tourism across the Caribbean. She’s been featured in Edible Boston, Moveable Feast, Eater Boston, is a moderator with WBUR’s Curated Cuisine series, has been a guest speaker with brands like Toast, and serves on the board of the Urban Farming Institute.

Through her company Food & Folklore, she pays homage to unrepresented global food traditions exploring belonging, identity, and the immigrant experience through classes, popups, and storytelling. She’s facilitated a community of over 100 food entrepreneurs in the Boston area who meet annually to collaborate and network. And is building DutchPot.app, a tech solution to help culinary entrepreneurs manage compliance.

She is a graduate of Boston University’s Culinary Arts Program and has a Masters in Sustainable International Development and Geography.

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Services

Culinary Classes

Get ready to spice up your kitchen game! Join our interactive sessions led by culinary rockstars who’ll guide you through hands-on fun with diverse cooking techniques and global cuisines. Whether you’re gathering the fam, teaming up with colleagues, or bringing out the inner chef in your young ones, we’ve got you covered – in person or on Zoom! Don’t miss out on the tasty adventure, book a class today and let the cooking party begin!

“My wife is genuinely happy! We approve of the proposed dishes. Thank you so very much Tamika! This means so much to us”.

Alex, Couples Culinary Class guest

BOOK A CULINARY CLASS

Pop-up Events

Get ready for a feast of immersive experiences! Dive into a world where diners connect with culinary creators, savor special menus, and become part of live storytelling sessions. We’re all about supporting emerging chefs and culinary entrepreneurs, helping them turn their pop-up dreams into reality. Excitement awaits – express your pop-up interest by completing the form here and let’s make culinary magic happen!

LET’S PARTNER ON A POP-UP

Engagement

Step into a world where cookbook launches are a culinary spectacle, and panel discussions delve deep into food policy, environmental issues, and current cultural topics. With two decades of captivating audiences under her belt, our founder, Tamika, brings an engaging and riveting presentation style to every event. Previous clients include the likes of WBUR, Toast, Boston University IDEA Conference, and many more.

BOOK TAMIKA TO SPEAK

Consulting

Collaborating with both budding talents and seasoned chefs, as well as local entrepreneurs, we specialize in conceptualizing, curating, and bringing to life vibrant pop-up events. Handling everything from logistics to marketing, we’re here to ensure chefs and brands not only meet but surpass their goals. Take a peek at a few snapshots of our consulting work below:

BOOK A CALL

Our Values

  • We assert that our food choices are linked to global migration patterns, the economic system, and centuries-old traditions.
  • We place value and respect to the custodians of these traditions – the people who cultivate, harvest, churn, butcher, and cook.
  • We acknowledge the interdependence within our food system.
  • We center the experiences of those formerly oppressed, immigrants, chefs and cooks of color, home-style restaurants, as well as our allies and friends.
  • We advocate for fair pay, recognizing that people should be rewarded justly for their time, talent, and contributions, going beyond training and rank in the kitchen.
  • We acknowledge the personal and political dimensions inherent in food, it goes beyond being a simple necessity and speaks volumes to our identity and privilege in society.

Let’s stay in touch!

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Events

    November 18th

    Curated Cuisine: Cook’s Country editors Toni Tipton-Martin and Morgan Bolling on the women who gave soul to Southern cooking
    Buy Tickets

    December 9th

    Curated Cuisine: Historian Jessica B. Harris on the culinary and cultural traditions of Kwanzaa
    Buy Tickets

    Newsletter

    Sign up for our newsletter below and stay up-to-date on culinary classes, speaking events and partnerships. Occasionally, we tell really good stories and tips.

    CLIENTS