Foodies are already familiar with Sean Sherman’s journey, which includes the 2021 launch of Owamni, one of the most buzzed about restaurants in Twin Cities history. There’s also a lot of excitement about the James Beard Award winner’s plan to open a BBQ joint in the former Seward Co-op Creamery. But other than his dedication to Indigenous cooking, you might not know much about the acclaimed chef.
“Finding Your Roots,” the long-running PBS series, helps fill in some blanks. In the episode premiering at 7 p.m. Tuesday on TPT, Sherman and chef José Andrés digest a lot about their family history.
Sherman, who taped his chats with host Henry Louis Gates Jr. over a full day in Brooklyn in March 2024, discovers nuggets about his ancestors, including a great-great-grandfather who was Black and served as a Buffalo Solider.
The episode provided the perfect excuse to learn more about Sherman and what brings him joy outside the kitchen. He spoke by phone last week while running errands.
Q: Were you a fan of the show before they called you?
A: I really wasn’t. I haven’t watched that much TV in my life. It’s hard to watch a whole series. It’s too much of a commitment. I’m more of a movie person. But my partner, Mecca [Bos], was a huge fan. When I told her they had reached out, she said, “What? That’s so big. You have to say yes.”
Q: What kind of movies?
A: I’m a huge David Lynch fan. I’m so sad that he passed away. I loved his version of “Dune.” I grew up on bad horror movies of the ‘80s. I would go to the VCR store and rent all the bad sci-fi. Dramas are not my favorite. I like getting out of the scope of real life.