Jessica B. HarrisSpeaker and Booking Agent Information

Jessica B. Harris is a distinguished culinary historian, professor emerita, author, and journalist recognized as a leading authority on the foods of the African Diaspora. Born in Queens, New York, she grew up with a summer home on Martha’s Vineyard and attended the United Nations International School. She earned degrees from Bryn Mawr College, Queens College, Université de Nancy, and a PhD in Performance Studies from NYU. She taught English at Queens College for 50 years. Harris is the author and editor of nearly 20 titles, including 12 cookbooks like “High on the Hog” (2011), “Iron Pots and Wooden Spoons” (1989), and the memoir “My Soul Looks Back” (2017). Harris has documented African, Caribbean, and African American culinary traditions. She conceptualized the Smithsonian’s Sweet Home Café and consulted widely. Honors include the James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award, Cookbook Hall of Fame induction, and TIME100 recognition. A prolific speaker and media presence, she emphasizes food’s role in culture, history, and identity.