Feeding New Orleans: Celebrity Chefs and Reimagining Food Justice

After Hurricane Katrina, high-profile chefs in New Orleans formed charitable organizations to help revitalize the region's restaurant scene. Food justice organizations used the city's legendary food culture to fundraise, but these initiatives were also infused with cultures of sexism. Jeanne K. Firth's research explores the growth of celebrity humanitarianism and its troubled relationships with consumerism, food justice movements, and public-private partnerships in development and humanitarian aid.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 228 pages
Publication date: 05 December 2023
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005, a remarkable surge of high-profile chefs emerged as champions of the city's recovery. These culinary icons, driven by a deep sense of commitment, formed their own charitable organizations, such as the John Besh Foundation. Their mission? To revitalize the region's devastated restaurant scene and help rebuild the lives of those affected by the storm.

A year and a half after the disaster, a remarkable milestone occurred when the total number of open restaurants in New Orleans surpassed the pre-Katrina count. It was a testament to the resilience and determination of the city and its people. These chefs, who had become the de facto heroes of the city's recovery, were hailed for their unwavering support and tireless efforts.

However, alongside the chefs' philanthropic endeavors, food justice organizations also sought to leverage the city's renowned food culture to raise funds. They organized high-end dining events, showcasing the talents of these celebrity chefs, and attracting the attention of philanthropists and supporters alike.

In her insightful book, "Celebrity Humanitarianism," Jeanne K. Firth delves into the growth of celebrity humanitarianism, offering a feminist ethnographic perspective to understand how elite philanthropy is shaped by race, class, and gender. Firth's research reveals that cultures of sexism within the restaurant industry also permeate chef-led philanthropic initiatives. Through her examination of this particular flavor of elite, celebrity-based philanthropy, Firth sheds light on the complex relationships between consumerism, food justice movements, and public-private partnerships in development and humanitarian aid.

The book explores the ways in which celebrity chefs use their platform and influence to promote social change, highlighting both the positive and negative aspects of their philanthropic endeavors. It raises important questions about the role of celebrities in humanitarianism, the impact of their efforts on marginalized communities, and the potential for collaboration between the private sector and social justice organizations.

Overall, "Celebrity Humanitarianism" is a thought-provoking and timely book that sheds light on the intersection of food, philanthropy, and social justice. It provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics that shape humanitarianism and offers a critical examination of the ways in which celebrity chefs can contribute to positive change in the world.

Weight: 378g
Dimension: 154 x 233 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781469676333