Randall, Joseph 'Joe' (Glascoe)
1946-2026 · Contribution: 1989-2026
Chef & Culinary Historian
Founded the African American Chefs Hall of Fame in 1993 to recognize Black culinary professionals long overlooked by the industry; co-authored the foundational 1998 cookbook 'A Taste of Heritage,' inducted into the James Beard Foundation's Cookbook Hall of Fame in 2023

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Quick facts
- Born
- 1946
- Active since
- 1989
- Category
- Agriculture & Food
- Best known for
- African American Chefs Hall of FameA Taste of HeritageCooking school mentor
Impact on the world
Randall built the institutions that gave Black chefs recognition and history the industry had denied them. His cookbook and hall of fame anchored a national conversation about Black culinary traditions.
Sources
- The HistoryMakers
4 more sources and references are available to members.
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