Black Women Kitchen Stories; Passed Down Recipes

In Black Women Kitchen Stories; Passed Down Recipes, Mrs. Jacobs shows her famous Sweet Potato Recipe while sharing her cooking journey. In a simple yet intimate setting, this documentary follows a recreation of the Sweet Potato Recipe, living up to its name, Passed Down Recipes.

  • Dayana Chege
    Director
  • Dayana Chege
    Writer
  • Dayana Chege
    Producer
  • Mrs. Jacobs
    Key Cast
  • Dayana Chege
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Short
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes 21 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 29, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    150 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Dayana Chege

Director and Writer Dayana Chege is a Kenyan born and raised but American based filmmaker. She aims to tell stories that allow audiences to see themselves. Her recent project "Black Women Kitchen Stories" highlights the stories of Black women in different kitchen spaces across different states; home cooks, restaurant owners, chefs and caterers. Her style is intimate, captivating, warm, and inviting, an intentional choice to let the audience in.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Sharing the kitchen space with my mother when I was younger was more than just about cooking. It was a place where I learnt the history of my family, how our Kenyan culture worked, the science of food like how to use acidic lemons to cut through a heavy soup. Within the kitchen space, I became literate. I made this film as an honor to the space and as a way to celebrate how we, Black women, have learnt to curve spaces for ourselves to learn. The cuts between Mrs. Jacobs' interview, her making of the Sweet Potato Pie and my recreation of the pie create an intimate and warm tone, in an attempt to capture the warmth and sweetness of a kitchen when baking with your grandmother. I hope you enjoy it!