"Who knew that this story would launch an informal contest of "hype names for @soulfoodscholar"? But that's what happened when our subject, Adrian Miller, ’91, saw the headline on his story and tweeted it to his followers:
"I’ve been teased about @stanfordmag calling me the “Bard of #Barbecue,” but I think they are on to something. I need cool intros when I start my next book tour. Here’s what I’ve come up with so far:
This is a perfect example of the kind of story we love to tell—one of a Stanford alumnus who has managed to turn his avocation into a mission. Adrian Miller's love of soul food and drive to preserve the history of Black cuisine came together in this piece with his charm and quirkiness. The results are mouth-watering. It's a story that stood out in 2021—light enough to provide a break from dismal news and deep enough to be memorable to many readers, who still mention this story as one of their recent favorites.
Our only regret was that we weren't able to do a staff tasting of Miller's favorite spots for good grub! In fact, this was reported over Zoom, which we think makes the final, engaging story all the more remarkable."
From the Judges
This is a fascinating, impactful, deeply human, and well-written profile. Like an amazing BBQ sauce, the story is complex—mixing together personal history, soul food history, and racial history. We left the story knowing more and feeling hungry!
