The New Essex Market Food Tour
Taught by Sarah Lohman
Sarah Lohman is a culinary historian and the author of the bestselling books Endangered Eating: America’s Vanishing Foods and Eight Flavors: The Untold Story of American Cuisine. She focuses on the history of food as a way to access the stories of diverse Americans. Endangered Eating was a New York Times Editors’ Choice, and was named one of the Best Books of 2023 by Amazon’s Editors, Food & Wine, and Adam Gopnik on the Milk Street podcast. It was a finalist for the Nach Waxman Prize for Food & Drink Scholarship and winner of the Ohioana Library Book Prize for Nonfiction. Lohman’s work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and NPR. Lohman has lectured across the country, from the Smithsonian Museum of American History in Washington, DC to The Culinary Historians of Southern California
The Essex Market opened on the Lower East Side in 1939, and the old public market has been given a new lease on life with a bright new building on Delancey St. We’ll cover the history of New York’s public markets before diving in to explore the food and vendors that represent the Lower East Side’s diverse community. We’ll try chocolates and cheeses, NYC-made meats and exotic fruits from the Caribbean, as well as the best pierogies or tacos in New York City. From long time market grocers, to brand new immigrant entrepreneurs, you’ll get all the hot tips about this unique and beautiful space to shop and eat.
This tour includes at least four tastings; vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free options are available. This tour is entirely indoors so it happens rain or shine. Meets at the New Essex Market. Exact details will be sent the day before.
