**PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A VIRTUAL PROGRAM THAT WILL TAKE PLACE VIA ZOOM. Registrants will receive a link to access the Zoom Meeting via email.**

Join a community of 25 public libraries from across the state to welcome Michael Twitty, as he discusses his book, The Cooking Gene, the 2018 James Beard Foundation's Book of the Year Award winner. Massachusetts-based chef and author (and huge Michael Twitty fan), Chef Bill, will facilitate this event's discussion.

African American culinary historian Michael Twitty found there was a giant hole in the story of American cooking and in the story of most African American families. In his unique memoir, Michael starts to trace his family history through the story of Southern and American food. Using genetic research, historic interpretation, nature study, heirloom gardening, and interviews with contemporary voices in food, his journey led him back to his family’s origins in West and Central Africa and put him center stage in the discussion over race and food in American life through his popular food blog, Afroculinara. 

Register directly on the Groton Library's website HERE. (Please select "Tewksbury" as your home library when filling out the short form.) This event is organized by the Groton Public Library and co-sponsored by 24 additional Massachusetts libraries, including Tewksbury, with support from the Groton Public Library Endowement Trust. Please note as 25 libraries are collaborating to make this event possible, we will be utilizing two viewing modes: Zoom webinar and livestreaming through NewTV (Newton's local access TV station's website), to ensure everyone will be able to view the event at the same time. Registrants will receive an email with links to both the Zoom webinar and to the NewTV live-stream on the day of the event.