If you’re looking for a true community experience, you’ve gotta check out Chef Rodney Smith’s SouthernChild: 1619 An African Story dinner pop-up series, right here in Atlanta. Each themed-meal takes dinner guests on a flavorful journey through history and culture… and leaves them feeling loved at at home with a great meal.
Chef Rodney Smith says,
1619 An African Story is a small story line about my culture and Heritage, and what my people [have] been through. It’s much more than just food. Food has the power to bring people ‘back home’ emotionally, especially when life feels overwhelming. I wants every guest to leave my dinners feeling the same sense of peace, warmth, and love I grew up with — not just fed, but emotionally fulfilled.
How can I check it out?
Chef Rodney posts about all of his upcoming events on his instagram, @southern__child_.
His next series, “From the South to France” will be hosted on September 21st, 2025 at 6pm at 711 Catherine St Atlanta GA 30310 Adair Park. You can learn more and snag your spot here!
About ‘1619 An African Story vol. 6: From the South to France’
For Chef Rodney’s September edition of his SouthernChild dinner pop-up series, he will focus the flavors of the dinner on southern and French cuisine. The 7 course meal is handcrafted with care and passion by Chef Rodney and includes:
- A Welcome Cocktail: ‘The New South’ – a bourbon, cognac drink with sweet potato syrup, sherry, Benedictine & bitters
- Starters:
- ‘My Grandma’s Biscuits’ – served with fruit preserves
- Mac & Cheese
- Ratatouille – with green tomatoes, red tomatoes, yellow zucchini, eggplants, shallots, southern chimichurri
- ‘France in the Fall’ – with fried lobster, lobster bisque & chives
- Main
- ‘Traveling through France’ – a butter-bathed cod with cherry tomatoes, collard greens and champagne sauce
- ‘From The South to France’ – a pan fried chicken breast with sweet peas, sautéed smoked potatoes, and sauce charcuterie
- Dessert – a sweet potato tart with sweet potato filling, tart crust, tres leches gel, dehydrated, & whipped egg white
Don’t miss out on this incredible taste of community, history, and family. Chef Rodney is cooking up some delicious dishes, truly made with love!