Nathan Myhrvold is the mastermind behind Modernist Cuisine—the six-volume (2,438-page!) scientific cookbook opus that’s been hailed by the food-obsessed as the greatest thing since sliced bread—or at least Escoffier. (Myhrvold’s obsession began at the age of 9, when he told his mom he wanted to cook Thanksgiving dinner. She let him. It was probably better than hers.) In person, the former Microsoft CTO has a geeky charm that clearly contains a bristlingly brilliant brain. Modernist Cuisine costs $625; tonight’s lecture is five bucks. You should go. (Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave, www.townhallseattle.org, 7:30 pm, $5)