MOFAD is excited to welcome author Alliah L. Agostini and Chef Taffy Elrod in celebration of their new book, The Juneteenth Cookbook. This kid-friendly event will feature story time, crafting, and red-themed snacks provided by our program partner, Oishii!
A commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States, the Juneteenth holiday has been observed in the Black community for over 150 years. In The Juneteenth Cookbook, Alliah L. Agostini, author of the popular children’s book The Juneteenth Story—which won the 2022 Black Kid Lit Award for Best Historical title—brings the tradition to your home through historically accurate recipes and educational family activities.
With captivating illustrations of 18 quick and easy recipes, follow along with little Alliah and her grandparents as they explore the historical origins of the holiday through food. Alongside all the delicious recipes, you’ll also learn a brief history of barbeque and it’s importance to the Juneteenth holiday and Black culture in America.
This program is ideal for kids ages 5 years and older. All kids must be accompanied by a grown-up. Tickets required for children only (each child ticket allows up to two accompanying adults free of charge).
ALLIAH L. AGOSTINI
Buffalo, NY native Alliah L. Agostini writes to spread joy, truth, and to illuminate the breadth of childhood experiences. Alliah is the award-winning author of a number of books for young readers including: The Juneteenth Story, BIG TUNE, Oprah Winfrey: A Little Golden Book Biography, A Juneteenth Celebration Cookbook, and more. She resides in New Jersey with her husband and two children, and has an A.B. and an M.B.A. from Harvard. Learn more about her at https://www.alliahagostini.com/.
TAFFY ELROD
Taffy Elrod is a professional chef, cooking instructor, recipe developer, food writer, and former restaurant owner with over 20 years experience in the food industry. Chef Elrod’s background in food for health informs her cooking and teaching. Making food and cooking accessible to everyone and empowering others to cook the food that matters most to them inspires Chef Elrod’s work daily and brings her joy. She’s known for her homestyle soups and baked goods that utilize seasonal produce and pantry items in unique and delicious ways, and for pairing professional knowledge with fun and flavor wherever she cooks. Chef Elrod is a Culinary Instructor at the Capital District Educational Opportunity Center in Troy, NY, a freelance recipe developer, and food writer. Her work has been featured on TheSpruceEats.com and in Plate magazine and The Washington Post. Taffy lives in New York’s Capital District with her husband, Pizza Man, along with their cat, Kit Kat. Connect with her at cheftaffyelrod.com and on social media at @cheftaffyelrod.
