As our forum for the 2023 school year quickly approaches, here is a preview of our speaker Omar Tate and his restaurant Honeysuckle located in Philadelphia.
“It is the livingness in art that makes it art. Form, style, structure, craftsmanship, are of the highest degree of importance to the creative mind in man, for meaningful ideas have nothing to say to the man who has not mastered the tools of his trade.”
- Fela Sowande
As we are presented with an exquisite dish, what do we think of? Perhaps its organic ingredients, particular ways of cooking, or a culinary professional that works for hours? Well, interestingly enough, Omar Tate, the founder of Honeysuckle, suggests otherwise — not only do we look at the dish, we look through the dish. Through the lens of contemporary Black American culture, we can see one’s heritage. We can see one’s geographical beauty. We can see a lifestyle. We can see a segment of history. We can see the past and the future.
Chef Omar Tate
Omar Tate, a Philadelphia-based chef, has opened a new restaurant, Honeysuckle, which is drawing attention for its unique take on African American cuisine. Tate, who previously worked at some of the country's most renowned restaurants, decided to take an innovative step on his journey by incorporating ingredients and techniques from his own heritage culture. Ever since he was a teenager, Tate recognizes the racial inequity and lack of diversity rooted in Philadelphia, the city he was born and raised. Not only he spotted this injustice, he tangibly felt that it even permeated throughout the society and food representation is no exception.
Six years ago, he decided to make a change. Through his unique experience as an artist and traveler, he took his ideals further by founding this eatery, Honeysuckle. This conceptual restaurant explores the idea of identity and the history of black Americans. The business was launched successfully the following year, 2018.
But Honeysuckle is more than just a restaurant.
The restaurant features dishes like grilled sweet cornbread with pimento cheese, oxtail with lima bean hummus, and slow-roasted duck with black rice and collard green jus. Each dish is carefully crafted and infused with Tate's unique vision for African American cuisine. Each dish carries emotions and memories of his family, his culture, and his ancestors. Moreover, this is also a place reserved to showcase black artists, featuring murals and paintings and highlighting black literary attainments with various works of poems and writings.
While other restaurants may simply offer a basic need, food, to its customers, Honeysuckle suggests a portion of our history and offers a platform for all to express their heritage. This uplifts a community; it illuminates a future with more possibilities. With all of Tate’s passion, Honeysuckle received countless compliments and love, even reported by many of more prestigious newspapers, such as The New York Times, Esquire, Easter, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and many more. All in all, Tate's enthusiasm for his craft and dedication to honoring his heritage have made Honeysuckle a standout in Philadelphia's vibrant food scene.
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