Savannah Chef Mashama Bailey Shares Greens Recipe

Collard, mustard, and turnip greens make a classic Southern dish.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

The Columbian shares a recipe featuring a salad of turnip and mustard greens, which have been staples in African American homes for centuries. The recipe comes from Mashama Bailey, the executive chef and partner at The Grey restaurant in Savannah, Georgia, who is considered one of the most important chefs in the country.

Why it matters

Greens like collard, mustard, and turnip have deep roots in African American culinary traditions and represent an important part of the region's food culture. Highlighting recipes that feature these ingredients helps preserve and celebrate this heritage.

The details

The recipe calls for a mix of turnip and mustard greens, which have distinct flavors - turnips are slightly bitter while mustards have a peppery taste. Chef Mashama Bailey, known for her work at the acclaimed Savannah restaurant The Grey, shared this recipe that she previously prepared for the Harlem EatUp! festival, where her salad was a standout dish.

  • The recipe was featured in The Columbian on February 4, 2026.

The players

Mashama Bailey

The executive chef and partner at The Grey restaurant in Savannah, Georgia, who is considered one of the most important chefs in the country.

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The takeaway

This recipe highlights the cultural significance and culinary versatility of traditional Southern greens, which have been an integral part of African American cuisine for generations. It showcases how contemporary chefs like Mashama Bailey are preserving and elevating these time-honored ingredients.