It’s nearly June 19th, which means it’s nearly Juneteenth. On this very special episode of the Happy Mouth podcast, chef Nyesha Arrington and restaurateur Philip Camino talk about Juneteenth’s meaning and history, and the strides black chefs have made in the hospitality industry in recent years. Philip and Nyesha also highlight three black chefs deserving of some special praise. Listen to Philip and Nyesha discuss Juneteenth: Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19th On that day in 1865, General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and freed what we have on record as the last enslaved people in the United States Though President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, slavery continued throughout the country with an estimated 250,000 still being enslaved. In some cases, slave owners refused to release their slaves until forced to in-person by Union armies and officials Before 2020, the hospitality industry had gone 14 years without seeing a black chef win any best chef or outstanding restaurant categories of the James Beard awards As of last year, around 17% of chefs and head cooks were black, which is roughly 5% higher than the national average in other industries Between 2007-2012, the number of black-owned eating and drinking establishments increased by almost 50% Over the last two years, six black chefs have won James Beard awards in best chef of outstanding restaurant categories Links: Happy Mouth Podcast Instagram Britannica - Juneteenth New York Times - 16 black chefs changing food in America Encyclopedia - Slavery in the middle west The Grey - Website Edna Lewis Foundation - Website Wikipedia - Jerome Grant Bravo TV - Nyesha Arrington Nyesha Arrington - Website We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other shows: Full Comp  The Happy Mouth Morning Show Restaurant Marketing School The Playbook