NEW YORK—Savoring the flavor of community alliances and great cuisines was a recipe for a successful “Brothers Who Cook NY” event in St. Albans, Queens, at the Edwards Davis Center and event space. The event was billed as a community fundraiser to benefit a local community organization and independent Black education.
It was spearheaded by Brother Jacques Muhammad with the support of the community, elected officials, fraternal organizations, houses of worship, professional and aspiring chefs, and members of the Nation of Islam from Queens and Long Island.
Brothers Who Cook NY was a one-day event held May 17, where brothers displayed their cooking talents and prepared, displayed and served an array of food suitable for all tastes including fish, lamb, chicken, vegetarian dishes and Rastafarian Ital palates.
“The impetus was to basically follow the model that the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan has given us, which is to bring our communities together, irrespective of our religious, philosophical, social or economic differences,” Bro. Jaques explained.
Blending cooking and inspiring the community to see another side of the Muslim community, Bro. Jacques stated, “This event gave us an opportunity to demonstrate our dietary laws and restrictions as taught in our books in ‘How to Eat to Live,’” he said, referring to the books by the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad.
“We asked all of the chefs to comply with our standards, and they happily did, which meant no pork, no mushrooms, or food with soy or soybeans. Our culture and way of healthy eating displayed another side of the Muslims.”
He also commended and thanked Pastor Edward Davis. “I want to give a major shout out to Pastor Davis, who was the one who attended the Million Man March in 1995 and envisioned using his venue so that Muslims and Christians were united in this cause, using this wonderful space to have this benefit.”
New York State Senator Leroy Comrie, who attended the event, said, “I am proud to be here today. The food was great, also, it was good fellowship and doing it in a Black-owned establishment that was developed by a Black church named after Pastor Edward Davis, who I went to the Million Man March with, and his church Presbyterian Church of St. Albans.
“The March impacted me to want to serve in the community in a major way. This is beautiful in the way we are supporting ourselves, to raise money for ourselves, to develop opportunities to celebrate our unique abilities and creativity,” Senator Comrie added.
Nation of Islam Eastern Regional Student Minister Arthur Muhammad and his wife, Judge Nichelle Muhammad, also attended the event.
Bro. Jacques explained that the purpose of the event was to also assist community groups, “so we identified a community organization that is doing a great job in helping to reduce crime, engaging in workforce development and mentorship programs for young adults.”
Part of the proceeds from Brothers Who Cook NY will benefit the group 100 Suits, founded by Kevin Livingston, and also the local Muhammad University of Islam, he said.