East Ridge author and culinary writer Kent Whitaker, also known as The Deck Chef, will be part of the culinary author panel discussion Sunday May, 20, during the Canton Georgia fourth annual Literary Celebration. The discussion and Q&A session begins at 1:00pm ETS. The panel includes Mr. Whitaker and other culinary authors who will cover topics about culinary writing that is beyond that of just recipes and ingredients. Mr. Whitaker says that people underestimate the amount of work and research that goes into culinary writing.

“It’s more than recipes, it's the story behind the recipes... the people and places. Food plays an important role in everyday life besides just having a meal and taking in calories. It’s part of our families, our places of worship, celebrations. It's birthdays, weddings, parties and sadly funerals," Mr. Whitaker said. “What would Sunday be without the family meal after church with grandmother's cherished apple pie recipe or simply grilling out while using your dad's secret barbecue sauce recipe with the race or the Braves on the radio?"

Mr. Whitaker is a culinary author focusing on regional cooking and culinary history. He is the author and co-author of ten 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.

The Sunday, May, 20 culinary panel includes Kent Whitaker featuring his Georgia Hometown Cookbook, author and chef Sonya Jones of Atlanta featuring her book Sweet Auburn Desserts, and Joseph Dabney author of The Food, Folklore, and Art of Lowcountry Cooking. Panel members will be available after in order to autograph cookbooks.

“Canton Festival of the Arts is a wonderful event bringing the best of the arts community out for a weekend of inspiration,” said Farris Yawn, owner of Yawn’s Books. “It is fitting that those who create with the pen and pad, or the computer keyboard, should be part of the annual event and why our group of dedicated volunteers is working feverishly to confirm an outstanding list of visiting authors that will be the envy of Literary Celebrations all over.”

Yawn’s Books is Canton’s only locally family-owned bookstore. Ms. Yawn serves as chairperson of the Literary Celebration for the Canton Festival of the Arts.

The Literary Celebration will take place from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, and 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, May 20, in Brown Park, next to Canton City Hall, in downtown Canton, Ga. The event is free and open to the public. Authors and panel members will be available after their appearances in order to autograph cookbooks. All titles, and many more, will be available throughout the event.

For more information about the Literary Celebration, call Yawn’s Books & More at 678 880-1922 or the Cherokee Arts Center at 770 704-6244 for additional Festival information.