The accolades keep coming for Sean Sherman, also known as the Sioux Chef: He was just named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People for 2023.
Sherman, who owns the James Beard Award-winning Owamni with Dana Thompson, was recognized as an innovator. "Sean has had a major impact on revitalizing and revolutionizing Native cuisine in the U.S.," wrote activist and television host Padma Lakshmi in the essay. "He's a powerful force of good in the culinary world and beyond."
"The cultural knowledge our ancestors left behind is a gift to us, one I am committed to recovering and sharing for the benefit of generations to come," Sherman said in a statement, accepting the recognition on behalf of his ancestors, who he said "lived in balance with the natural world."
And this week, the James Beard Foundation announced that Sherman will be among the chefs to kick off its new chef-in-residence program in May. The weeklong takeover includes talks, demonstrations and dinners and is held in the foundation's new culinary space in New York City's Market 57 food hall. (Find all the details here.)
Chef, advocate and community leader, Sherman is a member of the Oglala Lakota Sioux tribe and a founder of the nonprofit NATIFS (North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems). The organization aims to help address the economic and health crises affecting Native communities by re-establishing Native foodways. Part of that is through food-related enterprises and includes the Indigenous Food Lab inside Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis, which serves as a center for culinary training, development and support. A public market will open in June.
Learn more about Sherman and his efforts at seansherman.com.

Pop-up darlings the Salsa Collaborative heading to the suburbs
After years of building a solid following as pop-up darlings and hot sauce makers, Nikki and Brian Podgorski have found the next home for The Salsa Collaborative. The duo are moving operations to the forthcoming Hackamore Brewing Co. in Chanhassen (18651 E. Lake Drive).
"We will miss St. Paul," said Nikki. The two had been holding a weekend pop-up inside Barrel Theory Brewery, "But we love this commute."