Between musical acts and other performances, D.C.'s Howard University received unexpected recognition on NBC's Saturday Night Live last night in a parody about soul food and cultural assumptions.
In a parody that mimics competitive culinary shows like “Top Chef,” two chefs, one black and the other white, are asked to create an authentic dish of soul food for two black judges. When the dishes are revealed, one of them is a Southern combo, while the other is a ridiculous "deconstructed" fusion concoction, including "okra foam" and "impossible catfish made with soy protein."
The twist comes when it is revealed that it was the white chef, played by SNL host Nate Bargatze, who created the winning authentic dish of soul food. At his success, the judges are confused, to which he repeatedly responds: "I'm sorry."
In the end, celebrity Padma Lakshmi makes a cameo to give the winner a guest spot on a series called “The Black Kitchen,” as well as making him a cultural ambassador for DC's Howard University, one of the oldest HBCUs in the US. USA
The winner's response? "I'm sorry. "I didn't mean for this to happen."
The DC Council wasted no time applauding the recognition, even while the show was still airing.
And if Howard University wasn't enough, DC-area rock icon Dave Grohl and his Foo Fighters were also musical guests on last night's show, prompting the council to hail last night's episode as "a very SNL." of DC.
