Chef Freddie Bitsoie will be featured in Iowa State’s lecture series to present the cultural progression of foods and how Native American food has been misused.

According to Iowa State’s lecture Series website, Bitsoie will specifically be discussing Native American food from the Western Hemisphere and how it has been overlooked. He will also address how these foods made it through mitigation, colonization and cuisine culture.

Pursuing mastery at Le Cordon Bleu in Scottsdale, Arizona, Bitsoie first began studying cultural anthropology at the University of New Mexico and was led to study culinary arts after a discussion with an archaeology professor. Before long, Bitosie became a noted figure at the Mitsitam Native Food Cafe as an executive chef within the National Museum of the American Indian and Food Network. 

Bitsoie published his cookbook “New Native Kitchen: Celebrating Modern Recipes of the American Indian” in 2021, featuring 100 recipes. These recipes showcase a modern interpretation of the historical foods that have fed this country. 

Bitsoie will also be providing a featured menu from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Friley Windows for $15.

The lecture will take place at 6 p.m. Monday in the Memorial Union Great Hall.

Co-sponsors of this event include:

• ISU Dining
• Food Science and Human Nutrition
• Culinary Science Club
• United Native American Student Association (UNASA)
• Committee on Lectures (funded by Student Government)

To watch this lecture, a recording will be available on this website.