If there’s one thing that truly brings people together, it’s a good meal served with a generous side of love and history. And when it comes to soul food, few names shine as brightly as Sylvia Woods.
Sylvia Woods shows off some of her famous Southern fried chicken legs at her restaurant in May of 2000. Photo from NYDailyNews
Her cookbook, Sylvia’s Family Soul Food Cookbook: From Hemingway, South Carolina, To Harlem, isn’t just a collection of recipes; it’s a heartfelt journey, a family reunion in print, and a delicious testament to the power of community.
From Southern Roots to City Dreams
Before Sylvia became the “Queen of Soul Food” in Harlem, she was a girl in Hemingway, South Carolina. It was a place rich with tradition, where neighbors were like family, and every meal was a shared experience.
When Sylvia decided to put together this incredible cookbook, she went right back to her roots. She hosted a good old-fashioned cook-off at Jeremiah Church in Hemingway, inviting family and friends, young and old, to bring their favorite dishes and share their stories. The result? An amazing collection of over 125 classic soul food recipes, straight from the heart of the Woods community.
This isn’t just any cookbook – it’s an invitation to the Woods family table!
You’ll find dishes infused with the unique personalities of Sylvia’s loved ones, like her daughter Bedelia’s famously sassy and spicy Barbecued Beef Short Ribs, or Kenneth’s Honey Lemon Tilefish, a favorite of his son DeSean. And that’s just a taste! Expect mouthwatering collard greens, Southern-style pound cakes, hearty stews, and, of course, the best macaroni and cheese.
Hemingway’s Lasting Soul Food Legacy
What’s truly remarkable is how Hemingway, South Carolina, became a fertile ground for soul food legends, with its influence stretching all the way to Harlem and beyond!
Sylvia’s Restaurant – Harlem, NY
Sylvia opened her iconic Sylvia’s Restaurant in Harlem in 1962.
Herbert and Sylvia Woods in front of the restaurant in 1997.Credit…Ozier Muhammad/The New York Times
She didn’t just serve food; she brought the rich Gullah traditions of her South Carolina upbringing right into the heart of New York City. Her restaurant became a true cultural landmark, a place where everyone from politicians to everyday families gathered. Sylvia famously said, “When I cook, I cook with love. That’s what my mother taught me back in South Carolina,” and you can truly feel that love in every dish.
Scott’s Bar-B-Que – Hemingway, SC
Right there in Hemingway, Ella and Roosevelt “Rosie” Scott started Scott’s Bar-B-Que in 1972. This unassuming spot became world-famous for its whole hog barbecue, cooked low and slow over wood coals – a true Gullah Geechee method passed down through generations.
Scott’s Bar-B-Que located at 2734 Hemingway Hwy Hemingway, SC 29554.
Their son, Rodney Scott, is now a James Beard Award winner, but he always credits his parents and his Hemingway roots for teaching him the ancient art of pit barbecue.
Melba’s Restaurant – Harlem, NY
The story continues with Melba Wilson, Sylvia Woods’s niece! Opening Melba’s Restaurant in Harlem in 2005, Melba added her own upscale twist to Southern classics like fried chicken and eggnog waffles.
Melba’s Restaurant located at 300 W 114th St, New York, NY 10026.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at Melba’s for lunch. Prince Harry and Meghan tries chicken and waffles for the first time at Melba’s in Harlem , check out this blog post here.
She often shares how her father’s Hemingway upbringing shaped her love for food. As she puts it, “Food is storytelling. Every dish on my menu has a journey—from Hemingway to Harlem.”
So, whether you’re looking to recreate a taste of the Lowcountry in your own kitchen or simply want to savor the rich history of American culinary traditions, Sylvia’s Family Soul Food Cookbook is an absolute must-have. It’s more than just food; it’s family, community, and a whole lot of soul.
