Documenting, studying, and celebrating the diverse food cultures of the changing American South.
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Weaver D’s Delicious Fine Foods
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Interviews and photographs by Amy C. Evans.
Tabasco Guardians of the Tradition: Athens, GA
The Southern Foodways Alliance honors the men, women and establishments who have served Athens as Tabasco Guardians of the Tradition.
“The heroes of our cuisine are often unsung and uncelebrated women and men,” said Lolis Eric Elie, the primary force behind the awards. “Their considerable skills tend not to be rewarded with the type of fame and fortune that is increasingly part and parcel of the white table cloth world of celebrity chefs and destination restaurants. Still, we recognize that they are the essential elements, the foundations of American cuisine in general and Southern cuisine in particular. So we have established the Tabasco Guardian of Tradition award, to be awarded at each Southern Foodways Alliance Field Trip.”
In 2006 the SFA, along with members and friends, headed to Georgia for Camp Athens, a day-long series of lectures, outings, and meals created to celebrate and learn about Southern food in Athens. Each of the Tabasco Guardians of the Tradition was presented with a special award designed by artist and MacArthur Grant recipient John T. Scott. And, of course, we collected their stories.
Featured here are two native Georgians, telling the stories of their lifework. Meet Dexter Weaver, who started catering from his home kitchen before opening his namesake restaurant, Weaver D’s. Read about Angelish Wilson, whose father, M. C. Wilson,opened Wilson’s Soul Food Inc. on Athens’ legendary Hot Corner in 1981. Meet the people who are the guardians of Athens, Georgia’s, foodways traditions.
JOHN T. SCOTT 1940-2007
It is with great sadness that we note the passing of artist John T. Scott. Mr. Scott, a native of New Orleans and recipient of a prestigious McArthur "Genius" Fellowship, created the print we use to celebrate the life and work of our Tabasco Guardians of the Tradition.
