FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UNC-TV Explores Our Food, Family & Culture
And Chef Vivian Howard Debuts Her New Series—Somewhere South—Friday, March 27
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 2/24/2020 — From new episodes of Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr. to Season 2 of No Passport Required with Marcus Samuelsson to Chef Vivian Howard’s new series Somewhere South, UNC-TV and PBS explore our diversity through food, history and culture with a series of programs scheduled through March 2020.
In addition to PBS’s national releases, UNC-TV brings the celebration of food and family home to North Carolina with local shows devoted to the rich and diverse range of local culinary traditions. UNC-TV’s popular North Carolina Weekend returns this month with fresh, new episodes, featuring some of North Carolina’s most prized food traditions, such as barbeque in Granite Falls and Southern-inspired seafood in Ocracoke.
Additional programs include American ExperienceThe Poison Squad, about the chemist who fought for food safety at the turn of the 20th century, and Food. Roots. Philippines, Billy Dec’s search for the recipes of his ancestors. Chef Patrick O’Connell’s magnificent obsession is revealed in The Inn at Little Washington and new digital series Good Gumbo travels to Louisiana, the Mississippi Delta and the Gulf to delve into the region’s rich food and cultural heritage. Full of surprising revelations and unforgettable characters, these programs celebrate our uniquely American culture and showcase the myriad contributions that diverse groups of Americans have made to our country, our cuisine, and our common history. Most of these programs are available for on-demand viewing at video.unctv.org.
Descriptions and schedule follow:
Somewhere South—Premieres Friday, March 27, at 9 PM
Travel with Chef Vivian Howard on a culinary tour across the changing American South in this new six-part series. Vivian searches out the dishes that unite us all—hand pies, dumplings, porridge and more—but which are expressed in delightfully different ways across cultures. Along the way, she meets new friends and teachers, and discovers, as she says, “how breaking bread and sharing a meal can create a comfortable place to have meaningful, memorable conversations.”
The Inn at Little Washington—Friday, March 27, at 10 PM
Explore the ornate world of Chef Patrick O’Connell and his magnificent obsession: the double five star, double five-diamond, Michelin-rated hotel and restaurant The Inn at Little Washington. Long considered one of the greatest dining experiences in America, with the quirkiest cast of characters imaginable, the film follows both the front and back of house as this “chef’s chef” and his team celebrate their 40th year in business while chasing, and triumphantly attaining, the ultimate accolade—a third Michelin star.
No Passport Required—Now Streaming
Chef Marcus Samuelsson visits six new cities—Boston, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Seattle—in the second season, exploring the rich diversity of immigrant traditions and cuisines woven into American food and culture.
Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr.—Tuesdays, at 8 PM
Season 6 explores the mysteries, surprises and revelations hidden in the family trees of popular figures. Over eight new episodes, see Sterling K. Brown, Sigourney Weaver, Queen Latifah, Jeff Goldblum and more top personalities find common branches to some twisted family trees, along with re-mixed thematic combinations of former participants’ stories.
North Carolina Weekend—Thursdays, at 9 PM
Deborah Holt Noel shares the best things to see and do in our state each weekend as UNC-TV’s hit food and travel show serves up hot, new episodes. This season features foodie favorites and fresh finds from all over our state, including Raleigh’s Videri Chocolate Factory, Sims Country Barbeque in Granite Falls, The Candy Factory in Lexington and many more.
Julia Child: Best Bites—Premieres April
The beloved chef opened new gastronomic worlds for Americans by making cooking fun, inspiring millions to get into the kitchen to prepare and enjoy delicious dishes. Now, a new celebrity chef-studded hour-long special and six half-hour episodes offer insights into Julia’s legacy and examine her enduring impact on our culture today from Martha Stewart, Jacques Pépin, Sara Moulton, Rick Bayless, José Andrés, Eric Ripert, Carla Hall, Marcus Samuelsson and our own Vivian Howard.
Good Gumbo—New PBS Digital Series, Now Streaming
Inspired by No Passport Required, acclaimed Louisiana chef Philip Lopez explores the historical and cultural roots of some of the most popular dishes in the Deep South. The series reveals that international influences on the region extend far beyond cuisine and into music, language, traditions and architecture. Featuring interviews with major figures in the world of Southern food culture, the series delves into how history, tradition and downhome ingenuity shaped what we eat.
American Experience The Poison Squad—Now Streaming
Discover the forgotten heroes who fought for food safety at the turn of the 20th century. These unusual allies led by a government chemist forever changed the way Americans thought about food, health and consumer protection. Based on the book by Deborah Blum, the film features noted food journalist and cookbook writer Mark Bittman, author Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation) and acclaimed food journalist for The Atlantic Corby Kummer.
Additional food and culture programs are available on the channels of UNC-TV, unctv.org and UNC-TV’s PBS Passport through March 2020.
- A Chef’s Life
- Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Television
- Family Pictures, USA
- Flavor, NC
- Great British Baking Show
- No Passport Required (Season 1)
- The Hook
About PBS
PBS, with more than 330 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 126 million people through television and 26 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. Decades of research confirms that PBS’ premier children’s media service, PBS KIDS, helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality educational content on TV – including a 24/7 channel, online at pbskids.org, via an array of mobile apps and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile and connected devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.
About UNC-TV Public Media North Carolina
On air, online and in person, UNC-TV Public Media North Carolina connects North Carolinians to each other, the world and endless possibilities. Through its unique partnership of public investment and private support, the statewide network includes in-person engagement, digital-first social and online content delivery and four over-the-air channels—UNC-TV PBS & More, the North Carolina Channel, Rootle 24/7 PBS KIDS and the Explorer Channel. UNC-TV also provides emergency services support for the state and free educational services and resources for teachers. Visit unctv.org and join the conversation at facebook.com/publicmediaNC, instagram.com/publicmediaNC and @publicmediaNC on Twitter.
CONTACT Rebekah Radisch, UNC-TV: rradisch@unctv.org 919-549-7177
