Topic: Food & Recipes
Frances (Fanny) Gillette Hern, an enslaved cook
Frances (Fanny) Hern was the daughter of Edward and Jane Gillette. She had twelve brothers and sisters. The family worked as field slaves at Monticello. Fanny married David (Davy) Hern. He was an enslaved blacksmith and wagon driver. In 1806, Thomas Jefferson picked Fanny to come to the White House. At the time, he was…
Inventory of Kitchen Utensils at Monticello by James Hemings
Two-page list of kitchen equipment written out by James Hemings before his departure from Monticello....James Hemings, an enslaved cook
James Hemings was Betty Hemings's son and a slave. When he was nineteen, he crossed the Atlantic Ocean on ship. He traveled with Thomas Jefferson and his daughter Martha. He was going to Paris to be trained as a cook. Hemings trained with several French caterers and cooks. He even studied with the chef of…
Jefferson Goblet
Jefferson sketched the desigen for this goblet and had two made while in France.
Meringue and Macaroon Recipes
Recipes for meringue and macaroons, written in Jefferson’s hand....
Method for preserving French Green Beans
Jefferson's method for preserving green beans, or haricots vert, for the winter. ...Monticello Muffin Recipe
4 cups of flour1 1/2 packets of yeast1 1/2 cups watercast iron griddle Mix flour, yeast, and water. Dough will be very sticky. Coat your hands in flour before kneading the dough. While kneading, continue to add small amounts of flour to the dough until the stickiness disappears and the dough becomes more solid. You…
