A Taste of History Episode Rating Graph

Chef Staib travels to the town of Zoar, Ohio, established by German separatists in the 19th century. He learns what can be accomplished with a strong sense of community, and prepares familiar recipes from his homeland such as spaetzle and gaisburger marsch.

Chef Staib visits the oldest continuously inhabited city in the continental United States: St. Augustine, Florida. Authentic Spanish dishes are prepared including gambas al ajillo, fabada asturiana, and gazpacho.

Sausage dumplings with a mushroom ale sauce and roasted potatoes with sausage and sage are prepared.

Mrs. Goodfellow was a successful baker and teacher who opened the first finishing school in America. Chef Walter Staib and Pastry Chef Diana recreate some of her most notable creations, including lemon meringue pie.

Benjamin Franklin – at Home in London - Benjamin Franklin lived in London prior to the America’s Declaration of Independence, hoping to assuage Britain’s abuses of the Colonies and prevent war. Chef Staib visits London and the Ben Franklin House while illuminating this entrepreneur, scientist and diplomat who helped mold the new America. Chef Staib cooks Ben Franklin’s own recipes for Lettuce and anchovy soup, stuffed lobster, venison loaf, succotash and parmesan cheesecake.

The intoxicating island of spices – Grenada - America’s War of Independence took hold, the South East Caribbean became a powder keg of activity. Chef Staib visits Grenada, the spice capital of the world and the home of nutmeg, a spice that in the 18th century was worth its weight in gold. Chef Staib cooks with local chefs to make oil down and more famous local island dishes.

First generation Irish American – General Hand – Born in Ireland, General Hand came to America in the British army. Hand exemplifies the spirit of the colonists that viewed themselves as the New American and was eager to fight for his newly adopted country. Chef Staib cooks cabbage soup with meat dumplings, roasted stuffed pork stomach with pan gravy, steamed leeks with Irish bacon and Irish soda bread.

On this special episode, Chef Walter takes us to the island of Turks and Caicos, and prepares Caribbean delights such as Conch Chowder and Cod Fish Cakes. We tour the Caribbean to see how important it was to the Revolutionary War, and to remember the wonderful Tastes of History we have sampled there.

Washington, DC is the capital of the USA that began as a grand vision of Pierre L’Enfant. Chef Staib honors this French architect by preparing a Taste of History: Liver Dumplings, Veal Tongue Fricassee, Sautéed Heirloom Carrots and for dessert, Chocolate Mousse Cake.

Before Europeans landed in North America, Native Americans lived in respect for the land, and did not feel they owned it. When Europeans arrived, everything changed. In this touching episode, Chef Staib shows us two 18th Century examples of how the Colonists devastated and displaced the Native Americans living here. He cooks Cornmeal Fried Catfish, Stuffed Squash, Maple Baked Beans and Corn and Cranberry Pancakes in honor of them.

Chef Walter Staib visits New Mexico for the chili pepper harvest and learns the many wonderful ways they are prepared for a delicious and spicy Taste of History from New Mexico. Chef Staib prepares Short Ribs, Red Polenta and a Wild Boar Chile.

In this next episode at Monticello, we tour “the Dependencies” that housed the beer and wine cellars and the ice house, to learn how 18th Century food was harvested and stored. Chef Staib also borrows Jefferson’ kitchen to prepare Bouilli, a favorite boiled beef dish of Jefferson’s, along with Bouillon Potatoes.

We all know Martha Washington from her portraits as a dowdy grandmother, but did you know that there is new evidence she was a beautiful and passionate wife befitting her handsome George? And that Martha was the secret weapon that kept troop morale high during the hard winter’s encampment at Valley Forge? We prepare Martha’s authentic Turkey Stew with Oysters and speak with well-known Martha Washington expert Patricia Brady.

Cognac is a sophisticated libation that thrived during prohibition and continues to influence food trends to this day. It is also the name of a French town where Chef Staib travels and reveals the fascinating history of this celebrated spirit. The story of this unique liquor is told by the experts at Hennessy, the name synonymous with cognac, who explain their heritage and passion for their continuing pursuit for l’art de vivre. In Cognac, Chef Staib visits a sturgeon farm and prepares A Taste of History with Smoked Sturgeon, Roasted Breast of Pigeon with Foie Gras and Chocolate Sabayon with Cognac.

Various religions coexisted and flourished in colonial America – a nation founded in part on the principal of religious. To celebrate our pluralism, Chef Staib prepares Calf Brains with Butter and Capers and Beef Royale, for a Taste of History.

Chef Staib discovers A Taste of History in the origins of Japanese sushi. Kobe Japan is the backdrop for the secrets of sushi-making and demystifying the most prized and pampered beef in the world, Kobe Beef. This visual spectacle from Japan includes a tour of the Imperial Palace grounds and a visit with geisha.

Chef Walter Staib uncovers the life of General "Mad Anthony" Wayne and the Battle of Paoli - an event that inspired America's first battle cry, "Remember Paoli!" Recipes include braised short ribs, Pennsylvania dutch gratin, and more.

Chef Staib visits a Louisville homestead once frequented by former presidents and the explorers of the American frontier. Recipes include burgoo, chicken leek pie, and more.

Winning the war with bread – Chef Walter Staib bakes some of America’s favorites, inspired by George Washington’s Baker General, Christopher Ludwig. A native German, he brought the art of gingerbread making to Philadelphia and volunteered his services to the army to keep everyone fed in camps. Chef Staib roasts a turkey to demonstrate how to make a classic turkey pot pie from scratch, then makes the dough and filling then finishes the meal with gingerbread and poached pears.

Discovering China’s past - From the Great Wall to the forbidden city, Beijing is steeped in history. Join Chef Staib as he treks the Great Wall and battles mana-shrimp. Then Staib travels up the Yangtze River through City of Ghosts and into Sichuan to cook with the famed Sichuan peppercorn and sample the original hot-pot. Along the way he cooks on board a ship and makes a classic Chinese feast of tripe, spicy peanut and peppercorn sauce, pot stickers, Chonging style chicken, steamed buns and more.

The roots of Creole cooking in St Lucia – In the 18th century St. Lucia changed hands between the British and English fourteen times. The indigenous Amerindians lost much from these battles, but to this day, they display the British language and government and the French flair for cuisine, art and culture. Chef Walter Staib returns to St Lucia to explore the Creole influence and sample a Taste of History. On this show, Chef Staib cooks Creole cooking with local experts.

George Washington’s tent, his mobile headquarters, survived both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Chef Walter Staib serves up A Taste of History, preparing contrasting Army cuisines with the rustic Pot-au-Feu to Whiskey Cake, Washington’s indulgence.

Chef Walter Staib travels to New Mexico and recounts the incredible journey of migration to our early Southwest .Chef Staib visits Taos Pueblo, and prepares authentic People of the Red Willow recipes of Atole, a Blue Corn Porridge, and Elk Stew for a special Taste of History.

Berlin has had its fair share of war and peace. Berlin also has a connection to Colonial America through the King of Prussia. Chef Staib prepares authentic German favorites, Konigsberger Klopse Meatballs in Caper Sauce, Eisbein Pork Shanks, and Apple Strudel for dessert for a genuine Taste of History