Season 2
13 episodes
23 min. per episode
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A celebrated chef resurrects lost recipes, unearthing culinary secrets while confronting personal demons and a divided nation.
Episodes
In this episode, we visit the farm home of Charles Thomson, the Secretary to the Continental and the Confederation Congresses. Thomson is little remembered in history, but was influential in helping to argue the cause of Independence. Thomas Jefferson, a close friend, loved to ride out to Harriton House after a long day of debating, and relax with good food and wine with Charles and Hannah Thomson. Chef Staib prepares Shrimp in Saffron Cream, Marinated Asparagus and Fennel Puree in the Thomsons' kitchen at Harriton House.
Samuel Powel has the distinction of being the last mayor of Philadelphia under British Rule, and the first after the War of Independence. Powel hosted elegant parties at his residence for his friends George and Martha Washington, along with Jefferson, Adams and Franklin. In this episode, we tour the Powel House, and Chef Staib prepares a Washington favorite: Forced Cabbage and a Traditional Beef Stew with Egg Noodles.
Dr. Philip Syng Physick is considered the father of American surgery. His string of innovations include using cat gut for sutures and inventing the tool still used today for performing tonsillectomies! But Dr. Physick also came up with the idea of flavoring carbonated water, something we now call soda pop! In this episode, we tour Physick House, and Chef Staib prepares Smoked Brook Trout on Potato Pancakes, Coq au Vin Chicken , and Brussel Sprouts in honor of the Doctor.
In 1793, Yellow Fever that was running rampant in Philadelphia, President Washington made the wise decision to move the government's operations north to Germantown, a settlement miles away from the plague-ravaged city. He set up his offices in a charming rented home, Deshler Morris House. We'll tour the house and Chef Staib will prepare Shrimp Toast, along with a Larded Heart of Beef Tenderloin in Washington's honor.
Betsy Ross is one of the most celebrated women in American history. Although there is still controversy around her story, the details appear to support a woman of great courage who was asked by Gen. Washington to defy the British and secretly give our nation its identity. Ironically, there were very few rules for how the US Flag should look until the 20th century! Learn why in this episode as Chef Staib prepares meals Betsy would have made, Oyster Stew and Roasted Duckling Glazed with Honey.
A Taste of History is a cooking series that explores America's culinary beginnings from the Birthplace of American Cuisine. This innovative series brings America's history to life and makes it vibrant as we step back in time and get to know the founders of our country through the food they ate and the recipes they prepared. Chef Walter Staib, an Emmy Award-winning, internationally known chef with over four decades of experience, is a master of open hearth cookery. He demonstrates a true mastery in the preparation of sophisticated 18th century cuisine, sure to inspire home-cooks.