My friend, Rose McGee, has a passion for life, a passion for people, and a passion for food, especially sweet potato pie.

I met Rose several years ago when I first joined Women Who Really Cook, a Twin-Cities-based networking organization for women who work in a food-related career. Rose is also a member, and at the time I first met her, she was getting her new business, Deep Roots Desserts, off the ground.

I asked Rose if she’d help us celebrate Black History Month by sharing a recipe for Sweet Potato Pie that she developed along with some of her thoughts. You’ll feel Rose’s warmth and passion as you read what she has to say in response to some questions I asked.

On Saturday, February 27th, at 1:00, you can meet Rose during a celebration of Black History Month at Macy’s downtown Minneapolis store. You’ll get the sweet-and-lowdown from Rose, owner of Deep Roots Desserts, on baking sweet potato pie. Rose will show you why her famous pie received the prestigious honor to be chosen for a 2009 Presidential Inauguration party in Washington, D.C. Writer, producer and director of  “Kumbayah…The Juneteenth Story,” the multi-talented Rose is currently completing her next book, Can’t Nobody Make a Sweet Potato Pie Like My Mama, a book that joyfully captures the history of the sacred dessert of African Americans — the sweet potato pie, of course.

I hope you’ll make Rose’s pie. It may not taste exactly like Rose’s own homemade pie, or her Mama’s, or her grandmother’s, but for sure it will be delicious!

Thanks for sharing, Rose!

1. What is the history of sweet potato pie — yours especially?

A form of this dessert traces back to the Renaissance Era in terms of mixing spices with sweet potatoes. However, what we know as a "sweet potato pie" today goes back to slavery in this country. Later Dr. George Washington Carver did a great deal of research not only with the peanut, but with the sweet potato as well. His is one of the first recorded recipes. BUT not the first. You’ll have to read my book for that little tidbit.

Over time the dessert became what I consider to be the "sacred dessert" of black culture. However, the inspiration for my making the pies began over 30 years ago by accident. I was young, wanted to impress some guests and decided to try making one,. Total flop. Called my grandmother for some guidance. Over time, I began adding a bit of this and a bit of that and came up with my interpretation of her pie and my aunt’s pie and my friend’s grandmother’s pie…you get the picture. One thing about the whole process of trying to get everyone’s recipe whose pie I respected – NO ONE had their recipe written down. It was all recorded in their heads and moreso their hearts. Thus the reason it’s so important to publish this book, "Can’t Nobody Make A Sweet Potato Pie Like My Mama," a book that joyfully captures the history of the sacred dessert of African Americans – the sweet potato pie of course.