On Feb.18, 1797, Hercules Posey, George Washington's slave and gifted head chef, self-emancipated and escaped to New York City, never to see the Washingtons or his own children again.

I can only imagine the success Hercules would have achieved today considering the worldwide cooking craze we are experiencing.

Although information on the skills of slaves is sparse, we do have record of Posey's ability behind the stove. George Washington Parke Custis, the step grandson of Washington stated the following: Posey was "a culinary artiste" and "dandy", with "great muscular power" and a "master spirit", whose "underlings flew to his command" (among those underlings were paid white servants).

The following is the New York Historical website's description of Posey's cooking skills: "Posey was a famous cook with sought-after dishes. In Washington’s presidential home, Posey managed a large kitchen staff and created menus filled with Washington’s favorite dishes and impressive spreads befitting the country’s first president. Posey was also known as a dandy, with his velvet collars, polished shoes, large watch chain and fob, and his gold-topped cane."

After fleeing slavery, city records show that Hercules resided in NYC in the area that is now Chinatown/lower Manhattan. He supported himself through both culinary work and manual labor. He died of consumption on May 15, 1812 at the age of 62.

Much is known about the influence African Americans have had on music, literature, athletics, and theatre. It's time they get their credit in the culinary arts. The article posted below tells this wonderful story. I was especially impressed with the following paragraph:
"Much of the fledgling nation's culinary excellence was achieved in the homes of its Founding Fathers like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, where high-end cuisine was perfected not by white cooks but by enslaved chefs of African descent. These highly skilled chefs were influenced by the city's bountiful European, Caribbean and Native American exchange of culinary ideas and techniques, as well as their own heritage." Check it out.

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20220201-hercules-posey-george-washingtons-unsung-enslaved-chef