Keyword Food History

There’s no one taste or flavor to define a neighborhood, especially one like the Lower East Side. Follow us on a culinary journey of food traditions born out of tenement life. Using historic and archival recipes, oral histories, scholarly interviews, and special guests Padma Lakshmi and Michael W. Twitty, we create a full-course meal of the American experience through the lens of food.

Ketchup and mayonnaise have experienced a global success. We love them, but we know almost nothing about them. How have they crossed the centuries and continents since their creation? From industrial tomatoes, specially shaped for the industrial process, to dried egg yolk powder dedicated to the food industry, industrial version sauces are surprising. However, it is possible today to eat gourmet versions of ketchups and mayonnaise. And it is not of little consequence to choose quality ones, because scientifically, they are indeed addictive.

The history and significance of cuisine created in the royal kitchens of India.

The program follows the two presenters as they "live" in a certain time period. They dress up in period accurate clothes, and live life as you would in that certain time period with a large emphasis on the food. Each program features a guest chef who prepares period accurate food.

Restaurant critic Giles Coren and writer and comedian Sue Perkins experience the food culture of years gone by.

Ramen is a savory combination of umami-packed broth and perfectly cooked noodles. This program offers an encyclopedic view of this delectable dish, taking you on a journey across Japan to discover ever-evolving local variations. Join us as we explore a tapestry of local customs and food culture through the lens of ramen.

Caroline Randall Williams, an award-winning writer, cookbook author and restaurateur, travels the United States uncovering the fascinating, essential and often untold black stories behind American food.