East Ridge author and culinary writer Kent Whitaker, also known as The Deck Chef, will speak on “The Barbeque that Healed a Nation” Thursday at the Third Annual Dalton College Book Festival at 6 p.m. This is Mr. Whitaker’s second year participating at the festival. He will focus on Civil War chow and how a massive barbeque helped to heal the wounds of veterans and establish the Chickamauga National Battlefield.
“Food plays an important role in everyday life, and in the history of this area,” Mr. Whitaker said. “Many people don’t realize The Chickamauga National Battlefield is a direct result of a whole bunch of Union and Confederate troops getting together, deciding to preserve the memory and location of the battle as well as planning and holding a huge barbecue with cold beverages, music and more in order to seal the deal. Now that’s history.”
Mr. Whitaker is a culinary author focusing on regional cooking. He is the author or co-author of 10 published books including eight cookbooks and two children’s books. He is a winner of the Emeril Live Barbecue Contest and co-recipient with co-author Sheila Simmons of the American Authors’ Association 2009 Gold Medal. His famous Barbeque Cornbread which won an Emeril Live Barbecue Contest will be available for limited sampling after the event. He will also be available to autograph cookbooks.
“Home Grown: A Literary Celebration of Northwest Georgia” is hosted by Dalton State’s Roberts Library; all events are free and open to the public and will be held in the Goodroe Auditorium of Gignilliat Memorial Hall.
All events are free and open for public. For more information, contact the Roberts Library at 706.272-4575.