Food lovers, buckle up! Chef Carla Hall hosts a global tastebud trip in her new HBO show, “Chasing Flavor” (TV-G) with the aim of tracking the lineage of American food favorites.
This isn’t your typical food travel show. Hall, a renowned chef, cookbook author and co-host of other TV programs such as Food Network’s “Holiday Baking Championship,” isn’t just showcasing exotic dishes in far-away locales. She’s on a mission to uncover the surprising, interconnected origins of America’s most beloved comfort foods. The six-episode season dissects the origins of shrimp and grits, chicken pot pie and hot chicken amongst others — dishes we assume are all-American, but hold histories richer and more complex than their seemingly simple ingredients.
“If you don’t know the story, you don’t know the dish,” says Hall in a trailer for the series. Her statement echoes throughout the care for history and traditions that are newly exposed through Hall’s exploration of the oral history of food.
The adventure begins as we accompany Hall through episode one diving deep into the roots of chicken pot pie, a Southern favorite. From the flaky crusts of Jamaica to the savory fillings of Asia, Hall uncovers the global influences that have shaped this comfort food classic. Part of the segment highlights the ingenuity of enslaved cooks who adapted European pies to utilize available ingredients, as well as the impact of immigration waves that brought new flavors and techniques to the dish.
Another episode churns through the story of ice cream, connecting the dots between different styles like French custard, Italian gelato, the Turkish dondorma and finally, into the origins of the version we eat today. Hall also discusses how she has incorporated authentic techniques into her own kitchen, and how local perspectives have changed her attitudes in learning to use new ingredients or teaching an old dish a new trick.
As a self-proclaimed foodie, I learned some new facts about how populations of the past used ingredients in ways one probably wouldn’t imagine today, and how some areas hold on to unique and sometimes off-beat traditions. Hall’s infectious enthusiasm and genuine curiosity as the host of “Chasing Flavor” are contagious. She doesn’t just tell us stories, she tries to live them. The show joins local cooks in their kitchens, discussing traditional techniques and savoring authentic flavors. Also included are cultural celebrations, for which Hall immerses herself in the communities that have nurtured these dishes for generations.
The theme is a reminder that food is not just sustenance – it’s a tapestry woven from history, migration and the resilience of the human spirit. With “Chasing Flavor,” Chef Carla Hall is not just taking you on a culinary adventure – she’s inviting you to rediscover the heart and soul of America one bite at a time.
For fans of other food travel shows or cooking in general, “Chasing Flavor” will entertain and inform. Produced by Fremantle Original Productions, you can watch “Chasing Flavor” on HBO (check local premium listings) or on-demand with an HBO Max subscription.
Rating: 4/5 Forks