Super Short Summary

In The Cooking Gene: A Journey Through African American Culinary History in the Old South, Michael W. Twitty explores his cultural and genetic heritage through the lens of food, tracing the influences of African, Indigenous, and Southern culinary traditions. Twitty's "Southern Discomfort Tour" immerses him in the historical experiences of his ancestors, combining genealogical research and personal narrative to uncover the intertwined legacies of slavery and cuisine. The book addresses themes of identity, the impact of slavery on American foodways, and the complexities of beauty and ugliness in cultural history. Sensitive topics include violence and the legacy of slavery.