To celebrate its one year anniversary, this month's Masters of Social Gastronomy takes on its namesake: monosodium glutamate (MSG)! Savory spice or fatal flavor?

Sarah Lohman of Four Pounds Flour will track MSG back to its source in traditional Japanese food, showing how time and money turned an innocuous plant into the darling of mass production

Soma will take on modern-day interpretations of MSG, from its role in "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome" to its many relatives hiding in everyday foods. Science fact will be separated from science fiction as myths are deflated and truths laid bare.

While Sarah crafts organic MSG from scratch, Soma will bend science to his iron will and produce factory-farm MSG in his very own kitchen.

All the most important details:

Masters of Social Gastronomy
Tuesday, January 29, 7pm
Public Assembly (70 North 6th Street) in Williamsburg
RSVP on Facebook so we can bring lots of MSG-laden samples to delight your palate