User:Ingredient11/James Hemings

Lead
Hemings is credited with bringing many French cooking styles to colonial America, and developing new recipes inspired by French cuisine. This includes crème brulée and meringues, but most famously, Hemings is credited with the introduction of macaroni and cheese to America.

Article body
Hemings was also the chef for one of early America's most famous dinners - one that then-Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson dubbed a meal "to save the union." At this dinner, cheffed by Hemings, Hamilton and Jefferson reconciled after being well-known political enemies. Further, "Alexander Hamilton agreed to establishing Washington, D.C. as the permanent capital; in exchange, James Madison agreed to the federal government assuming the debt of the states."

Edit: Though Hemings was paid a steady wage, it was less than Jefferson had paid his previous chef, who was white. Using his personal wage, Hemings paid for a French tutor to teach him the language. Though France had abolished slavery at this point, and Hemings wages could have afforded him a lawyer there is no current evidence that shows he attempted to pursue that option.