Comfort food in times of grief. Join us as we explore what is served at funerals, wakes, and memorials as loved ones gather together.

Dishes served to those in mourning need to sustain a crowd while being delicious, reliable and traditional. This is not the time to try a new recipe or cook up the latest trend. Foods that comfort the bereaved need to be familiar. Chef Valerie Erwin shows how to make two staples perfect for a funeral spread: Red Rice with Turkey Sausage and Tea Cakes.

Chef Valerie Erwin cares about social justice in general, and food justice in particular. She lives at the intersection of food and culture.

Register at our Eventbrite.

Seating is limited. Please show up at least 10 minutes before event start time or your seat may be given to someone else.

This program is presented in conjunction with Or Not to Be: Representations of Death in Special Collections, on view in the 3rd floor Dietrich Gallery in the Rare Book Department now through February 28, 2026.