PORTLAND — In celebration of Black History Month, the University of Southern Maine Office of Multicultural Affairs presents “A Celebration of Soul Food and Music” which will include a presentation on healthy soul food, a cooking demonstration and food sampling by Chef Wheeler del Torro. The presentation will be followed by a musical performance by Lorraine Bohland and Olivia Crupi accompanied by pianist Terry Foster at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 14 in the Wishcamper Center, USM Portland. There will be a reception during the intermission. This event is free and open to the public.

Chef Wheeler del Torro is an internationally acclaimed chef who encourages his audiences to live healthier, more connected lives through food. As a chef, food historian, author and lecturer, Wheeler del Torro divides his time exploring issues of food justice and the historical and cultural links between food and community. He is the author of “The Vegan Scoop,” a book of ice cream and dessert recipes and the forthcoming book “The Secret Language of Food.”

Reputed as a “hipster chef” to vegan connoisseurs and celebrity food enthusiasts, he hopes to reintroduce soul food as a healthy beloved cuisine and believes “one of the bases for soul food was to get people together and share around the table.”

Lorraine Bohland, originally from Wellesley, MA, is a jazz and blues singer. She has performed in several towns and venues around southern Maine. Joining her will be jazz and blues singer Olivia Crupi and pianist Terry Foster.

For more information, call 780-5798 or 807-3782.