Author Michael W. Twitty joins us to discuss his award-winning book, "The Cooking Gene: a Journey Through African American Culinary History in the Old South." A renowned culinary historian, he offers a fresh perspective on our most divisive cultural issue, race, in this illuminating memoir of Southern cuisine and food culture that traces his ancestry — both black and white — through food, from Africa to America and from slavery to freedom. The program begins at 5:30 p.m. with a light reception. The talk begins at 6 p.m., with a book signing to follow. For information, contact Emma Ito at 692-3726 or emma.ito@lva.virginia.gov.