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James Beard Finalist and ‘Indigenous Food Warrior’ Chef Crystal Wahpepah Named Consulting Chef at First Americans Museum (March 30, 2026) – After a landmark weekend celebrating the release of her new cookbook, “A Feather and a Fork: 125 Intertribal Dishes from an Indigenous Food Warrior,” First Americans Museum (FAM) is proud to announce that Crystal Wahpepah (Kickapoo) has been appointed as the new consulting chef for 39 Enterprises, which runs the museum’s dining, catering and private events operations.

“Chef Crystal is more than a chef,” said Dr. Kelli Mosteller (Citizen Potawatomi), FAM executive director. “She is a visionary who has spent her career not only revitalizing Indigenous foodways and elevating traditional cuisine, but she’s also done so in a way that is focused on fostering community.”
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