How do you make history?
Carson Gulley grew up on a sharecropping farm. He wanted more for his life, and followed his love of teaching and cooking to Wisconsin. He became a celebrated chef and educator at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. But he didn’t stop there. He shared his passions through cookbooks, radio broadcasts, and his TV show, What’s Cookin’. Through all of this, Carson faced racism and discrimination. He fought for the right to have a house in Madison.
Carson Gulley
Questions to Consider
Carson’s father wanted Carson to have more than he had. What did he do to make that possible? How did Carson Gulley pursue his goal of becoming a chef?
Why was it notable that Carson taught, published cookbooks, did radio programs, and hosted a television show? What does that tell us about society during Carson’s lifetime?
What happened to Carson and his wife, Beatrice, when they wanted to buy a home in Madison?
Peek Into the Past
What’s Cookin’
Carson and Beatrice on the set of What’s Cookin’ at WMTV
Photo courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society, "Chef Carson Gulley's Cooking Show" (Image W014DKS)
Fudge-Bottom Pies
Carson with his famous fudge-bottom pies ready for the students at UW–Madison
Photo courtesy of the Wisconsin State Journal and the Wisconsin Historical Society, Edwin Stein, "Carson Gulley With Pies" (Image W012EKC)
Fudge Bottom Pie Recipe
Carson Gulley’s recipe for Fudge Bottom Pie and others from his book Seasoning Secrets
Photo courtesy of UW–Madison Archives, Carson Gulley Cookbook Collection, "Seasoning Secrets and Favorite Recipes of Carson Gulley" (1956)
Carson Gulley Catering
Carson and Beatrice in front of their catering truck
Photo courtesy of UW–Madison Archives, "Carson Gulley catering" (Image S17346)
Segregation
Neighborhood sign protesting a segregated community.
Photo sourced from Library of Congress, Arthur S. Siegel, "Detroit, Michigan. Riot at the Sojourner Truth homes" (Image LC-USW3-016549-C)
Crestwood Neighborhood Vote
Article on the Crestwood neighborhood accepting Carson
Sourced from Wisconsin State Journal (September 9, 1954, Page 1)
Carson’s Spices
Carson Gulley and his spice collection.
Photo courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society, Angus McVicar, "Spice Collection" (Image W013AOX)
Carson and Beatrice
Carson and Beatrice Gulley cooking together at an event
Photo courtesy of UW–Madison Archives, "Carson and Beatrice Gulley" (Image S17348)
Carson Gulley
Carson Gulley holding a freshly cooked turkey
Photo courtesy of UW–Madison Archives, "Carson Gulley with turkey" (Image S17002)
Navy Chefs
Carson teaching proper butchering to Navy chefs.
Photo courtesy of UW–Madison Archives, Carson Gulley Family Photographs Collection
NAACP
Newspaper coverage of Carson and Beatrice Gulley attending an NAACP event
Sourced from Wisconsin State Journal, Photographer unidentified (April 27, 1959, Page 10)
Carson Gulley Commons
Beatrice in front of the recently renamed Carson Gulley Commons
Photo courtesy of UW–Madison Archives, Carson Gulley Family Photographs Collection
Carson Gulley’s Catering and Restaurant Service
Carson by the sign for his Gulley’s Catering and Restaurant Service building
Photo courtesy of the Wisconsin State Journal and the Wisconsin Historical Society, Edwin Stein, "Carson Gulley at his new restaurant" (Image W012FM9)
Read On
Carson Gulley: A Recipe for Change
Get the full story with this biography book. Click the image to open the book and start reading. Audio files are available on each page if you’d like to listen along!
Project Credits
Producer
David Boffa
Ian Glodich
Animation Director
Lexie Wescott
Character & Background Artist
Nova Fernandez
Typography & Graphics
Charles Barrows
Creative Consultant
Aaron Bickham
Script
David Boffa
Ian Glodich
Clara Wolfe
Animation Voiceover
Brian Cole
Spanish Animation Voiceover
Miguel Martinez
Production Artist
Lexie Wescott
2D Character Rigging
Ian Glodich
Sound Design
Zack Sieger
Storyboard Artist
Lexie Wescott
Nova Fernandez
Archivist
Clara Wolfe
Archival Imagery Courtesy of
Library of Congress
National Archives Records Association
The Capital Times
Tomahawk Wisconsin Pioneer Society
UW-Madison Archives
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin State Journal
Audiobook Narration
Brian Cole
Audiobook Post Production
Ian Glodich
Captioning
Catie Pfeifer
Translation Services
Rev
Miguel Martinez
Educator Support Materials
Darcy Maxwell
Barb Shaver
Mia Forslund
Jen Kobylecky
Web Design
Charles Barrows
Digital
Mark Riechers
Tim Schneider
John Vieth
Executive Producer
Ryan Hendricks
Director of Education
Megan Monday
Animation Manager
Philip Ashby
Acting Director of Television
Kathy Bissen
Educator Cohort & Advisors
Barb Shaver
KM Explore
Dousman, WI
Darcy Maxwell
Summit Environmental School
La Crosse, WI
Laura Callen
Richmond Elementary School
Sussex, WI
Sarah Niesen
Nuestro Mundo Community School
Madison, WI
Kirsten Smith
Manitowoc Public Library
Manitowoc, WI
Hannah Nelson
King Elementary Children’s Center for Engineering
Green Bay, WI
Peter Agosu
Morse Middle School for the Gifted and Talented
Milwaukee, WI
Hannah Cook
Good Shepherd Lutheran School
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Marilyn Johnson
Milwaukee Sign Language School
Milwaukee, WI
Emily Villwock
Howe Elementary Community School
Green Bay, WI
Micki Uppena
Mineral Point Elementary School
Mineral Point, WI
Susan Richardson
Milwaukee German Immersion School
Milwaukee, WI
Heather Moellers
Mineral Point School District
Mineral Point, WI
Funding provided by
Timothy William Trout Education Fund
a gift of Monroe and Sandra Trout
Focus Fund for Education
Friends of PBS Wisconsin