Michael W. Twitty

Michael W. Twitty is a true luminary in the world of culinary history and food writing. Based in Fredericksburg, VA, Twitty is the award-winning author of several highly acclaimed books and celebrated for his profound exploration of how food intertwines with ancestry and culture.

His groundbreaking work, "The Cooking Gene," not only traced his own ancestry through food from Africa to America and from slavery to freedom, but also earned him the 2018 James Beard Award for best writing and book of the year – a historic first for a Black author. He followed this success with "Rice," a New York Times-noted cookbook, and "KosherSoul," which garnered the National Jewish Book Award. His latest book, "Recipes from the American South," was released in late 2025.

Beyond his literary achievements, Twitty is a dynamic presence in media. You might know him from his blog, Afroculinaria[.]com, or from his many television appearances on shows like "Bizarre Foods America", "High on the Hog", and "Taste the Nation" with Padma Lakshmi or his special guest appearance on Michelle Obama’s "Waffles and Mochi"!

Twitty's influence extends far and wide. He's a National Geographic Explorer, a TED fellow, and was named to the 2022 TIME 100 Next class. He shares his expertise on MasterClass, teaching "Tracing Your Roots Through Food," and served as a historical consultant for the FX adaptation of Octavia Butler’s “Kindred.”