Tribute to Arthur Ashe with Chef Joseph Cyzinski

On this date in 1980 Arthur Ashe retired from tennis. Throughout his life, Arthur Ashe fought against social injustice. He supported racial equality and tried to bring blacks and whites together. In 1973, Ashe was the first black player to be invited to compete in the South African Open. At the time, South African laws separated people by race. Ashe knew why he was invited. He knew that the South African government was trying to change its image so it could take part in the Olympic Games. He agreed to go, but on his own terms. He played before a racially mixed group. And, he went wherever he pleased and said what he wanted. Arthur Ashe went back to South Africa many times. He went not only to fight against the system of racial separation. He went to show the oppressed children of the country that he was a successful black man. Former South African President Nelson Mandela spent twenty-seven years in prison. After his release, the first person Mandela asked to see during his visit to the United States was Arthur Ashe. We will dine on Boerewors roll street food, seared ostrich steak salad, Cape Malay wild boar curry and finish with fresh cheeses. We will taste South African wines made with Chenin Blanc, Pinotage and Shiraz.