Food and drink are critical ingredients in the recipe that makes up Houston. Food informs about culture, economies, race and class.
A group of University of Houston students crafted
short documentary films that examine Houston food and its impact on culture as
part of a class called “Houston Eats.”
The screenings will take place at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 30 at 14 Pews, 800 Aurora Street. An RSVP to temple@uh.edu is suggested. A reception will follow.
“‘Houston Eats’ consists of films projects telling food stories in and about Houston,” said Temple Northup, assistant professor in the UH Jack J. Valenti School of Communication. “Houston has an incredibly rich and diverse food scene and history. By documenting some of these stories, we hope to share the diversity of Houston and its food with the city, country and world.”
The films are:
- "Farm to Table"
- "Houston’s Pursuit of Hoppiness"
- "Saintly Brews"
- "Sylvia’s Enchiladas"
- "Glass Half Full: The Story of the Charity Saloon"
- "Eat to Live: The Health Food Struggle in Third Ward Houston"
- "Share, Fight, Care: The Story of Houston Food Not Bombs"
Student Josh Taylor’s film chronicled the organization Food Not Bombs and its fight against a city ordinance prohibiting the feeding of homeless people in public.
“We wanted to shine light on the organization and ordinances that the city of Houston is passing,” Taylor said. “I saw culture and struggles that are specific to Houston and found there are so many sides to this city that most people don't see. It was an awesome experience!”
“Houston Eats” is part of a larger effort, The Gulf Coast Food Project.
“This project is about the scholarly study of food that sustains the cultural, economic and physical lives of our diverse communities,” said Monica Perales, UH associate professor of history. “This scholarly work encourages cross-disciplinary dialogue and interdisciplinary collaboration.”
Graduate students in her public history class collaborated with undergraduates from Northup’s class to create the films.
The Gulf Coast Food Project is supported by Whole Foods Market (Kirby), Saint Arnold Brewing Company, HEB Buffalo Market, the UH Center for Public History and the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication.
WHAT: The Gulf Coast Food Project’s Documentary Films Screening--"Houston Eats"
WHEN: 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 30
WHERE: 14 Pews, 800 Aurora Street, 77009