GREAT PERFORMANCES and Frida Kahlo: Appearances Can Be Deceiving at The Brooklyn Museum

Frida Kahlo: Appearances Can Be Deceiving, is an innovative, immersive experience combining art, culture, and food at the Brooklyn Museum. This is the most ambitious and far-reaching collaboration that the Brooklyn Museum and Great Performances Hospitality Group have undertaken to date, building on the success of their collaboration on David Bowie Is at the Brooklyn Museum last year.

Great Performances Hospitality Group (GP) has created an engaging food program which will run for the duration of the exhibition and is designed to bring a multi-sensory experience connecting the community, the exhibition, and Mexican culture through all five senses. GP chefs Saul Bolton and Andy Mejias collaborated with highly-acclaimed local Mexican cuisine-centric chefs including Carlos and Felipe Arellano of Park Slope's Chela; Justin Bazdarich of Greenpoint's Oxomoco; Natalia Mendez of Mott Haven's La Morada; TJ Steele of Gowanus's Claro; and Sue Torres, television personality and consultant.

The Culinary Program

Saul Bolton, GP's Michelin star chef and executive chef at The Norm, the full-service, on-site restaurant GP operates at the museum, has reimagined the menu in collaboration with Andy Mejias, chef de cuisine, to showcase Mexican ingredients, flavors and techniques. The partner chefs will take on residencies at The Norm, supplementing the menu with special dishes inspired by the life and work of Frida Kahlo.

The beverage program at The Norm has also been updated with signature Mexican-themed cocktails and a coffee program delivered by Brooklyn Roasting Company featuring a custom Oaxacan blend. The coffee will also be sold in the museum's gift shop and at Brooklyn Roasting's seven coffee shops.

The Norm has been transformed to incorporate Frida Kahlo's persona as chronicled in the exhibition: one wall has been re-painted in the soft salmon color that is used as a backdrop throughout the show; and The Norm's hallmark wall of?art showcases works by Carlos Mendez, once an assistant to Frida Kahlo's husband, Diego Riviera. The artwork is from two of his print portfolios and documents and celebrates the variety of clothing worn by people from cultures across Mexico, including the Tehuana style Frida Kahlo favored. More of his Tehuana clothing depictions are part of Frida Kahlo: Appearances Can Be Deceiving.

The talented group of partner chefs will also collaborate with GP on a series of activations throughout the museum, sharing their Mexican food and culture expertise with the public through events including pop-up offerings of signature items at First Saturdays; cooking demonstrations; and a talk about the history, traditions and regional differences of Mexican cuisine.

Culinary Program Schedule

February 8 to March 4

Sue Torres and Carlos and Felipe Arellano Residencies at The Norm

Sue Torres

Flautas De Camarones-shrimp prepared with garlic, red onion, jalapeno, cilantro, lemon and lime zest, rolled in corn tortillas, deep fried, and served with guajillo sauce topped with shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, crema pura, radishes, and guacamole

Gorditas De Plátano Dulce Y Queso De Cabra-sweet plantain cakes stuffed with black beans and goat cheese, deep fried and served on a roasted pumpkin seed salsa with lime juice and topped with crema pura and lime-cured red onions with red habanero

Pescado Escondido-red snapper fillet marinated in achiote paste enhanced with orange, lime, and roasted garlic and onion. Snapper is pan roasted and served with fried plaintains, roasted cherry tomatos and onions with rice redolent of bay leaf and butter.

Carlos and Felipe Arellano*

Huarache de Nopale-grilled nopale cactus pad topped with grilled nopale, refried black beans, guajillo chili roasted mushrooms, queso fresco, chopped onion, cilantro, and salsa rojo

Budin Vegetariano-budin layered with sautéed spinach, nopale salad, grilled corn, salsa verde, and queso Chihuahua

*The Arellano brothers' vegetarian dishes will remain on the menu throughout the exhibit

February 24

Friends of Frida Kahlo Brunch, Partnership with Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra. All ticket buyers receive 10% off at The Norm. For show tickets and reservation, please visit https://www.thenormbkm.com/.

First Saturdays: March 2, April 6, May 4

First Saturdays Pop-ups

Partner chefs will operate food kiosks 5 to 10 p.m. at which they will offer signature food items.

March 5 to April 6

Natalia Mendez and TJ Steele Residencies at The Norm

March 28

Chef Talk & Taste, Hosted by Sue Torres

Partner chefs will discuss Mexican cuisine and cutline. A Mexican meal will be served afterwards. Including a Mezcal toast courtesy of Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal. For show tickets and reservation, please visit https://www.thenormbkm.com/.

April 9 to May 24

Justin Bazdarich Residency at The Norm

April 25

Little Cinema, FRIDA - GP Full Service Bar including The Norm's Mexican-themed cocktails. For tickets, location and additional information, please visit https://www.thenormbkm.com/.

April 28

Kids & Family Program

Chef Sue Torres will lead a program with the Brooklyn Museum Education Department. Children and their families will learn about Mexican culture and cuisine and prepare fun, kid-friendly recipes. For tickets, location and additional information, please visit https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/.

Additional Food Initiatives

February 8 to May 12

Pop Up Mexican Marketplace

Pastries from family-owned Mexican bakery Mi Mexico Pequeño will be served along with Brooklyn Roasting Company's Frida Kahlo-inspired Oaxacan blend coffee, a selection of traditional Mexican candies, Mexican Coca-Cola, and Jarritos, a popular brand of Mexican soft drinks.

The pastries will also be available at The Norm on Saturdays and Sundays for brunch and during normal operating hours at the Café, where the Mexican soft drinks, Brooklyn Roasting Company's Oaxacan coffee, and the candies will also be on offer.

For tickets, location and additional information, please visit https://www.thenormbkm.com/.

About Great Performances

As New York's leading catering and special events company, Great Performances (GP) is known for contemporary American cuisine, locally sourced seasonal ingredients, artful presentation and gracious service. GP offers a wide variety of hospitality services to non-profits, corporations and private clients. The company is the exclusive caterer to many?of New York's most prestigious institutions, including Brooklyn Museum, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Academy Of Music and The Plaza, and operates more than a dozen restaurants, cafés and concessions, including Dizzy's Club Coca- Cola, The Norm at Brooklyn Museum and GP's own Mae Mae Café.

Great Performances promotes sustainable food practices through its organic Katchkie Farm in upstate New York, educates children about healthy eating through support of The Sylvia Center and offers an emerging artist scholarship program to eligible service staff. Great Performances is located at 304 Hudson Street, Suite 201, New York, NY 10013. For more information visit https://www.thenormbkm.com/ and visit them on social media @gpfood.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Great Performances