Cultural Gastronomist Basil Henning to Address Foodways of Colombia

Former Fair Haven teacher offers a lecture on food as a bridge to understanding cultures.

The unique gastronomy of Colombia will be at the heart of a talk given by a Monmouth County native, who currently is teaching and initiating cultural enterprises in the South American country.

Basil Henning grew up in Rumson and taught Spanish in Fair Haven schools for five years. He will speak at 6:30 pm on Monday, December 18 at Canyon Pass Provisions, 733 River Road in Fair Haven.

The lecture is free and open to the public.

Henning, whose master’s thesis focuses on the use of gastronomy as a guide to understanding cultures, will set the scene with an overview of Colombia’s bio and cultural diversity and then explore the country’s regional foodways.

Through his volunteer work with Fundacion Futuro con Futuro, a non-profit organization facilitating education programs that include promoting sustainable food security, Henning has been helping vulnerable rural communities in Colombia return to organic farming practices and reconnect to a heritage of diverse crops and medicinal plants.

Henning teaches social studies at a GI school in Armenia, Colombia, and also founded Del Pueblo Artesanias. By partnering with artisans in the country, and directly purchasing and selling their handmade products, Henning is able to spread word of Colombian artisanship.

Colombia has suffered from a contemporary history that has led to many misconceptions, stereotypes and negative connotations,” Henning says. “I hope [this] conversation will create a more positive and realistic vision of the nation.”

For more information about Henning’s program and Canyon Pass Provisions, call 732-933-3555 or visit canyonpass.com.

Read more Eat & Drink, Table Hopping articles.

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