Kay Moss does it old school

Of all the ways we can write about food, the one that draws me is culinary history. How people got food, what they ate and why they ate what they did, - nothing else tells us so much about how we became who we are.

Since her 1985 book "The Backcountry Housewife," Gaston County culinary historian Kay Moss has been a reliable resource on the practical aspects of how our forefathers and foremothers kept themselves fed. Now she has a new book, "Seeking the Historical Cook: Exploring Eighteenth-Century Southern Foodways" (University of South Carolina Press), that looks at historical cooking methods and how we use those methods today.

Moss will discuss her project and sign books at 2 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Gaston County Public Library, 1555 E. Garrison Blvd. Reservations aren't necessary, but if you're coming with a group, they'd like to know to make sure there are enough seats. Call 704-868-2164 or go to www.gastonlibrary.org.