A new Saturday afternoon docuseries focuses on culture, diversity, and inclusion through the lens of food. Host and New Jersey native Buki Elegbede takes viewers on the ultimate food tour around his home state. He brings viewers along for the journey as he visits local restaurants and home kitchens to try new cuisines, meet the diverse people preparing these dishes, and hear the fascinating stories behind some of the region’s favorite foods and recipes.
Saturdays, beginnning April 6, at 2 pm on Nine PBS and livestream.
Stream on the PBS App.
Episode Guide
Schedule is subject to change.
The Underground Railroad/African Americans | April 6
Host Buki Elegbede uncovers New Jersey’s African American history and the state’s role in the Underground Railroad in Camden via authentic Black soul food at award-winning restaurant Corrine’s Place and with a visit to the Macedonia A.M.E. Church. In Jersey City, he discusses the diets of freed slaves and dances with a barrier-breaking ballet prodigy.
Havana on the Hudson | April 13
Get up close and personal with Cuban culture. Get rolling at a cigar speakeasy, visit New Jersey’s Havana on the Hudson to learn the secret to the perfect Cubano sandwich, hear from an activist paving the way for the next generation of Cuban Americans, and more.
A Taste of India | April 20
It’s all about India with a visit to New Jersey’s largest immigrant community. Try traditional Bollywood style dance, take a no-taste-buds-spared food tour of Little India and dig into traditional Indian cooking, and learn about India’s spring celebration of Holi.
Cory Booker & Native Americans | April 27
Elegbede sits down with U.S. Senator Cory Booker to discuss where our food comes from, food deserts and food insecurity, and the plight of Garden State farmers. Next, Buki visits the Ramapough Lenape tribe in Mahwah and joins them for a bonfire, cooks traditional Native American dishes and hears the harrowing stories behind them.
The Philippines by Way of China | May 5
Celebrate Asian heritage with two incredible cultures as Buki takes a self-defense class with a Filipino martial art master, cooks with two Filipino “godmothers,” and visits the New York Chinese Cultural Center to learn the traditional lion dance.
Fishing Moms and People with Disabilities | May 11
Explore the possibilities of people with disabilities as moms and their kids learn how to fish and prepare delectable meals, the No Limits Café employs people with intellectual disabilities, and the OASIS farm serves traditional high tea service prepared by those with intellectual disabilities.
Farming the Garden State | May 18
Explore unique farms and their missions. Meet Deacon Willie Davis, a third-generation farmer and creator of the Green Acre Community Garden, who gives a tour of a one-acre plot of land in the heart of Paterson, NJ, which gives away free, fresh produce and teaches residents the art of farming. Next, a visit to the Ironbound farm to learn about “closed-loop” farming, and how hard cider is made.
The Faces and Food Behind Football | May 25
Dig into sports food culture at Met Life Stadium from the parking lot to the luxury suites. Meet tailgating master Bradford Thompson and Elliot Chrem, who serve up unique kosher gameday offerings. Jets defensive lineman Tanzel Smart prepares his grandmother’s award-winning crawfish etouffee. A former Rutgers football star, Eric LeGrand, discusses all things football, tailgating, and coffee.
Italian: The Next Generation | June 15
Meet the next generation of Italian artisans. Make fresh homemade pasta, learn the secrets of wine and the art of grape stomping with a fifth-generation Italian winemaker, and find the Garden State’s best pizza with NJ.com journalist Pete Genovese.
A Trip through the Flavors and Flair of Latin America | June 22
Explore Latin American communities and cultures. Radio host Carolina Bermudez shares Nicaraguan recipes and insights on Long Island. Mexican Chicano culture is on display at a Cinco de Mayo party in North Brunswick, NJ. Cook an authentic Venezuelan feast with an asylum seeker who created a nonprofit to help other Venezuelans fleeing political persecution.
Challah and Chutzpah: A Celebration of Jewish Culture | June 29
Get a taste of the Jewish culture. Cookbook author Shannon Sarna shares the meaning of Shabbat. Social media influencer and Jewish activist Lizzy Savetsky stops at her favorite Manhattan Jewish bakery and pays a visit to New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The 1969 Black Liberation Seder is recreated at Barnard College. Black Rabbi Heather Miller discusses diversity within the Jewish community.
The Drive, Passion, and Heart of the West Indies | July 7
Celebrate the vibrant West Indian culture. Meet proud Jamaican and “Slutty Vegan” restaurant owner Pinky Cole in Harlem, NY. Travel blogger Melissa Rose Cooper makes traditional Trinidadian staples and shares the origins of Carnival in East Orange, NJ.
