CHAA Meetings
The Culinary Historians of Ann Arbor generally meet on the third Sunday of the month at 4 p.m. Eastern, September through May. Meeting invitations are sent to members and other interested individuals, but all are welcome to attend. Our monthly talks are hybrid: an in-person audience gathers at the Ann Arbor District Library, and a virtual audience gathers online via the library’s YouTube channel. Please check this website for the date and location and format of each meeting, as these will vary.
Members receive emailed information regarding meetings in advance and a reminder on the day of each meeting.
See upcoming programs and links to past programs.
Next program:
Cooking to the President’s Taste: Asian Heritage Chefs in White House History
Sunday, November 22, 4:00-5:30 pm (EST)
Ann Arbor District Library
4th floor meeting room
343 South Fifth St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Stream online here
Register to receive a reminder of the event
Asian heritage chefs and stewards have shaped presidential cuisine from the early 1900s onward, but their stories were forgotten. In this talk, spotlighting five chefs including Lee Ping Quan, the speakers will uncover those stories. They share behind-the-scenes anecdotes and personal journeys, as well as a rare glimpse into the intersection of culture, politics, and culinary history. These immigrants from regions like China, Japan, and the Philippines served U.S. presidents on yachts, at retreats, and in the White House, enriching both presidential dining and American heritage.
About the speakers
Photo courtesy of Adrian Miller
Our presenters are co-authors of Cooking to the President’s Taste: Asian Heritage Chefs in White House History, published in 2025 by the White House Historical Association. Adrian Miller of Denver is a James Beard Award-winning culinary author, professional speaker, and certified barbecue judge. Deborah Chang, who was born and raised in a restaurant-owning family in the Detroit suburbs, is a graduate of the Napa Valley Culinary School, has cooked at numerous Bay Area restaurants, and created award-winning recipes for Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt and the National Peanut Board.
Join Us!
Our membership year runs from September to September. The annual membership is $35. You can print out the membership form here. We also accept membership dues via credit card (with or without PayPal). Click on the membership link at the top of this page for more information.
The Culinary Historians of Ann Arbor (CHAA), founded in 1983 by Jan Longone and friends, is an organization of scholars, cooks, food writers, nutritionists, collectors, students, and others interested in the study of culinary history and gastronomy.
The mission of the group is to promote the study of culinary history through regular programs open to members and guests, through the quarterly publication Repast, and through exchanges of information with other such organizations.
Monthly meetings of the CHAA are normally held in Ann Arbor, Michigan, from September through May on the third Sunday of the month at 4 p.m. (unless otherwise announced).
Membership in CHAA is open to anyone interested in culinary history. Dues are $35.00 for an individual or couple and include a subscription to Repast. The membership year is from September to September. For those who cannot attend meetings, a yearly subscription to Repast is $30.00.
Repast is the official quarterly publication of CHAA. Besides announcements of future meetings and reports of past meetings, it also contains feature articles, book reviews, a calendar of upcoming events of culinary interest, and special events. For information about contributing articles, placing information, announcements, or other regular features, contact the Editor.
