FOR TICKETS, PLEASE CLICK HERE

Honeywood Southern Roots Dinner Series — Black History Month

Join Honeywood chef Lawrence Weeks and guest chef Ashleigh Shanti on Feb. 27 for a five-course Black History Month celebration dinner featuring the wines of Brown Estate Vineyards, the only African American-owned estate vineyard in Napa Valley, Calif.

“This event, and working with Ashleigh, has generated great excitement, not only for me, but also for the African-American collective here in Lexington,” Weeks said. “Folks like Ashley Smith of Black Soil have helped unite black farmers and producers in the area to bring us together for a culinary event that will showcase the talent of the Southeastern region.” 

Weeks said his vision for this dinner is to host an enlightening night filled with oral history, culinary tradition and craftsmanship that have been passed down for generations in the black community.

Ashleigh Shanti is chef de cuisine of Benne on Eagle in Asheville, N.C. Working closely with five-time James Beard Award finalist Chef John Fleer, Ashleigh pays homage to the rich African-American culinary traditions that once thrived in The Block – the neighborhood surrounding the restaurant – as well as honoring her own history as a Southern African-American female. Shanti has found her culinary identity in a kitchen where the food is both meaningful to her and honors her heritage. She is proud to help build a culinary program from the ground up by following the theme of Sankofa — “go back and get it” in the Twi language — progressing forward and integrating new food techniques and methods, while looking back to history to reclaim lost and forgotten traditions.

Established in 1996, Brown Estate Vineyards is an award-winning family operation. Coral Brown will join Weeks and Shanti at the dinner to curate and discuss the wine pairings with the menu. Dante Wheat of Louisville will create cocktails for the evening.

Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. Cost to attend five-course dinner and Brown Estate pairing is $125. Dinner without wine pairing is $95. Seating may be communal. Tickets available online at honeywoodrestaurant.com or ouitamichel.com. For more information, please call (859) 469-8234.