WILLIAMSBURG, Va., May 18, 2026 – On the eve of the 250th anniversary of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, attendees will enjoy a curated dinner in honor of one of America’s foundational documents on June 11, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, with a “Virginia Declaration of Rights Dinner with Michael W. Twitty.”
During this exploration of African American heritage and Southern foodways, guests can enjoy a casual evening and cultural experience that weaves a multi-course meal with conversation about the concept of community so often referenced in the Virginia Declaration of Rights. At each table, prompted discussions will be led using the “Feast of Reason” – courtesy of our friends at Monticello – a guided conversational card game inspired by Jefferson's legendary dinner parties where great minds gathered to exchange ideas over food and drink.
Featuring four delectable courses chosen from his cookbooks “Koshersoul” and “Recipes from the American South,” diners will discover each dish’s significance from Michael Twitty himself: Bread Course (Sally Lunn Bread), Appetizers (Texas Caviar, Black Eyed Pea Hummus and Crudités), Main Course (Sephardic Pink Rice, Kush, Kitchen Pepper and Sea Salt Rubbed Chicken, Vegetarian Collards / Koshersoul Collards), and Dessert (Peach-Rice Kugel).
Michael W. Twitty is an African American Jewish writer, culinary historian and educator. He is the author of "The Cooking Gene," which won the 2018 James Beard Foundation Book Award for Book of the Year. His third book, "Koshersoul," was the first book by a Black author awarded the National Jewish Book Award. He recently published "Recipes from the American South" with Phaidon Press.
Twitty has made appearances on Andrew Zimmern's "Bizarre Foods America," "Taste the Nation" with Padma Lakshmi, Netflix's "High on the Hog" and "Many Rivers to Cross" with Dr. Henry Louis Gates on PBS, as well as an appearance with Dr. Gates on the four-part documentary series, "Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History."
Dinner with Michael W. Twitty Tickets
Seating is limited and recommended for ages 13 and older. Tickets to attend this extraordinary evening event are $100 per person and can be purchased online at jyfmuseums.org/twitty. Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation members receive a 10% discount and individuals can become a member at jyfmuseums.org/membership.
About American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
American Revolution Museum at Yorktown is administered by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, an educational agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and a commemorative partner of the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission.
Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s days), the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown is located on Route 1020 near the Colonial Parkway in Yorktown. Parking is free. Follow our museums on social media @jyfmuseums. For more information, call (757) 253-4838 or visit jyfmuseums.org/twitty.
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Media Contacts
Meghan van Joosten, meghan.vanjoosten@jyf.virginia.gov or (757) 253-4175
Tracy Perkins, tracy.perkins@jyf.virginia.gov or (757) 253-4114
