Henry Orr, who was born into slavery in 1792, became a caterer in antebellum Washington, providing high society and the households of government figures with necessarily stylish dinners, earning enough along the way to buy his and his family’s freedom. Leni Sorensen, who was the African American Research Historian at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home, has studied Orr and will discuss him in a virtual program for the Culinary Historians of New York. The title of her talk, “Beets Are Too Old-Fashioned,” derives from Orr’s supposed advice to a client about what was trendy to serve, and his refusal to include beets on the menu.
“Henry Orr, a Black Caterer in Early Federal Washington, D.C.,” Sept. 21 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Culinary Historians of New York, free for members, $10 for nonmembers and guests, eventbrite.com.