02/27/2026
We had the incredible honor of spending the day with renowned author and culinary historian Michael W. Twitty as part of our Black History Month celebration — and what a truly meaningful experience it was.
A leading voice on the history and origins of American cuisine, Michael brought history to life through powerful storytelling, education, and of course, food. Residents journeyed through the deep roots of Southern cuisine and the African American culinary traditions that shaped it. His award-winning memoir, “The Cooking Gene: A Journey Through African American Culinary History in the Old South,” which earned two 2018 James Beard Foundation Book Awards, set the tone for a rich and thoughtful conversation about heritage, culture, and connection.
We topped off the day with a very special evening when Michael joined residents as our culinary staff prepared a beautiful multi-course dinner inspired by his cookbook, “Recipes from the American South.” Each course honored the legacy and influence of African American culinary history.
The evening concluded with an intimate discussion where stories, flavors, and history intertwined — reminding us that “you cannot tell the history of America and American food without talking about Black history and Black food.”
