Historic African-American Foodways with Michael Twitty

Enjoy a special visit from award-winning food writer, independent scholar, culinary historian, and historical interpreter Michael Twitty. Known widely for his book The Cooking Gene, winner of the 2018 James Beard Foundation’s Book of the Year Award, his work explores Southern cuisine and food culture that traces his ancestry—both black and white—through food, from Africa to America and slavery to freedom. Twitty uses the foods we love to bring people together and explore our shared history to better understand ourselves and each other.

Throughout the day, Twitty will conduct historical cooking demonstrations inside the historic fort using traditional African American techniques and recipes. He will also sign copies of his book at 2 pm in the visitor center.