SALT CITY: SYRACUSE

The salt industry laid the foundation for Syracuse’s growth as a major city in the 19th century. It was the largest economic enterprise in the area putting Syracuse on the map. Unfortunately, this boom didn’t last forever and Syracuse fell into a period of decline. Today, this city is reemerging as a stimulating center point in Upstate New York.

We told this story through a seven course tasting menu following the timeline of the salt industry: Life Preservation, Death and Rebirth. Each dish incorporated an element of salt including brineing, preserving lemons or curing meats.

Original salt brine photographs, infographics of preservation techniques and an installation of 50 varying types of salt lined the perimeter of our gallery space- La Casita cultural center. With every dish presented, we told a story connecting the documents to the food.