The Pittsburgh Cultural Arts Meetup Group

Please join Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures as they welcome Padma Lakshmi to discuss her latest book, Padma's All American. The lecture will include audience Q&A which will be followed by a book signing. Padma's All American merchandise will also be available in the lobby.

Based on the award-winning Hulu series Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi. This book is a love letter to the people who create and evolve American cuisine every day. It is also a road map to the foods that give America its vibrant palate.

“I never had to leave the country to taste the world’s flavors. Wherever you live, come along with me.”

When Padma Lakshmi arrived in New York City in the 1970s, she witnessed firsthand the cuisines of the immigrant communities around her: uniquely their own and yet quintessentially American. Here, in this very personal book—the result of seven years of traveling and tasting, listening and observing for her show Taste the Nation—Lakshmi compiles dozens of recipes from the immigrant and Indigenous communities she visits, as well as many from her own family, showing us what really comprises American cuisine.

For Lakshmi, food is a lens. Through it, we can explore the influence of an eclectic array of cultures—and come to see, clearly, who we are and how we eat as a nation. Padma’s All American gives us a kaleidoscopic view of the vast range of incredible dishes she delighted in tasting on her travels, from coast to coast, and everywhere in-between.
From Indian coconut rice and Peruvian tamales with chicken to Afghani dumplings with leeks and scallions—from Oaxacan mushroom tacos to a strawberry, cardamom and cream cake that will be your new favorite celebration treat—Padma’s All American is filled with mouth-watering recipes, adapted here for the home cook—along with profiles and stories from the people who inspired the dishes. Padma’s All American is a joyful book—a reflection of who we truly are as a nation, from one of our most essential culinarians.

Padma Lakshmi is an Emmy-nominated food expert, television producer, and New York Times bestselling author. She is the creator of the critically acclaimed Hulu series Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi, and served as host and executive producer of Bravo’s Top Chef for nineteen seasons. She is co-founder of the Endometriosis Foundation of America, a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador and an ACLU Artist Ambassador for immigrants’ rights and women’s rights. She is the author of Easy Exotic, Tangy, Tart, Hot & Sweet, The Encyclopedia of Spices & Herbs, her New York Times best-selling memoir Love, Loss, and What We Ate, and the best-selling children’s book Tomatoes for Neela.

Padma's All American is available to pre-order through bookseller White Whale Bookstore that will be set-up in the lobby with many books available for purchase by other authors that have been part of the Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures series. There will also be book signing with Padma Lakshmi.

TICKETS Because this lecture will sell out, it is recommended people purchase in person tickets before January 25.
In person tickets start at $31 Padma Lakshmi | Official Ticket Source | Carnegie Music Hall | Mon, Jan 26, 2026, 7:30pm | Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures for the upper balcony (where it is easier for a group to sit together) Tickets may also be purchased by phone (412) 622-8866 or at the door starting at 6:30 PM

For Online Tickets, it us OK to wait until the day of the lecture. Online tickets are $31 Padma Lakshmi Online | Official Ticket Source | Online Event | Mon, Jan 26, 2026, 7:30pm | Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures The viewing link will be emailed on the day of the event. Viewers will have access to the recorded program for one week.

Parking While many visitors find street parking, the Carnegie Museum has plenty of parking which is conveniently located near the museum entrance at the corner of Forbes Ave & S. Craig Street. Here is a link with more info about parking and directions http://cmoa.org/visit/directions-maps-parking/

This event brings new people together and incorporates flexibility tailored to the interests of the group. This event begins at Café Carnegie (inside Carnegie Museum of Art) so people can socialize and get coffee/tea/drink or quick lunch. Because Café Carnegie doesn't require museum admission, we'll gauge the interests of everyone and possibility of smaller groups (perhaps 5-10+ people) exploring the following options from 12-5 PM or even later.

Option A -- Spend the afternoon inside the many galleries and exhibits of the Carnegie Museum of Art and Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Of note is that there will be a docent led tour at 1 PM for the Carnegie Museum of Art. Visitors can check out Charles Harlan on display through February 22, 2025.

There will also be a Trio Tour from 12:30-1 PM where visitors take an up-close look at the caribou, mountain goat, and walrus dioramas. Meet the tour next to the walrus display in the Hall of North American Wildlife. Join knowledgeable Natural History Interpreters to explore three connected specimens, objects, or dioramas on 30-minute tours.

We expect at least 10 people will get into Carnegie Museums for free based on those with Carnegie Museums memberships that allow guests. Priority for free admission will be decided by the order of arrival and recognition of members that are relatively new to the group.

Option B -- Walk over to Phipps Conservatory to check out Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show: Blooming with Love (on display from January 10 – March 15) and fun Garden Railroad: The Age of Dinosaurs and other exhibits including Tropical Forest Panama and The Audacity of the Mundane: An Exhibition of Artwork by Charlee Brodsky as well as glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly and Hans Godo Fräbel. Also on display is The BETA Project (Biophilia Enhanced Through Art) with paintings, sculptures, etc. by over 20 local, national, and international artists.

Option C -- Attend the closing reception of three exhibitions at the University of Pittsburgh Art Gallery inside the Frick Fine Arts Building located across from Carnegie Library of Oakland.

1. Rethinking the Rotunda III: José Santiago Pérez’s “As Above” & Charmette Young’s “It Keeps My Hands Busy”
2. Wavelengths: deRoy Gruber – Filkosky – Fuller – Haskell
3. Earth & Ether: The Art of Lucille and Virgil Cantini

Option D -- Walk over to check out the 31 Nationality Rooms inside the Cathedral of Learning where there will be 1-2:30 PM docent led tour. Tickets are $10 Adult and $6 Youth (ages 18 and under). To make reservations, please visit Tours | Nationality Rooms

Option E -- People can discuss if they'd to have lunch or dinner at a nearby restaurant such as The Porch in Schenley Plaza or one of the many restaurants along Craig Street, Forbes Avenue, etc.

In terms of Admission Charges, we'll see if anyone has memberships (e.g., Carnegie Museums, Phipps) which allow them to bring guests in for free. We expect at least 10 people will be able to get into Carnegie Museums for free and several more people for free at Phipps.

Parking The Carnegie Museum has plenty of parking which is conveniently located near the museum entrance at the corner of Forbes Ave & S. Craig Street. Here is a link with more info about parking and directions http://cmoa.org/visit/directions-maps-parking/

Stay Tuned for updates!