Lidia Celebrates America

Culture Series / 2 Seasons

Lidia Celebrates America: Changemakers, follows Lidia across America as meeting chefs, farmers, and entrepreneurs hard at work trying to change, not only what’s available, but the way Americans think about food in the future. “It’s also critical to remember the energy and water it takes to grow, transport and package the foods we eat”, says Lidia, “We all have the ability to be Changemakers”.

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Sara Dahmen Copper

2m 7s

Sara Dahmen at House Copper in Grafton Village, Wisconsin is one of the only female coppersmiths in the world. She created her own apprenticeship opportunity by reaching out to a local craftsman preserving a dying art—creating tin, iron and copper cookware using centuries-old techniques.

Comal Heritage Food Incubator - Vian

3m

In Denver, Colorado, Lidia pays a visit to the Comal Heritage Food Incubator, where budding chefs can take their family recipes and elevate them for public consumption through a restaurant and catering business. Vian Al Nidawi, an Iraqi-Syrian refugee, is on the line as the lead chef.

The Meal at Ironbound Farm

1m 30s

Lidia hosts a dinner at Ironbound Farm in Asbury Township, New Jersey in celebration of the Artisans who opened their doors, and their lives to show Lidia how food artisans and artisanal crafts are gaining momentum in the U.S. After a beautiful rendition of 'Amazing Grace', performed by Ironbound employees, Lidia raises her glass in a toast.

American Spoon Jam

2m 40s

Lidia takes a tour of American Spoon Jam, in Petoskey, Michigan. American Spoon offers a rigorous training program to teach workers how to produce the finest fruit preserves while remaining committed to using centuries-old cooking techniques.

Herrera Barrel Making

2m 1s

In Napa Valley, California, Lidia meets Ramiro Herrera, one of only a few dozen master coopers in the world. Herrera, of Caldwell Vineyard shows Lidia how he assembles American oak into barrels by hand, and also demonstrates the complex art of toasting a barrel.

Benton's Smoked Country Ham

2m 50s

In Madisonville, Tennessee, Lidia catches up with Allan Benton, of Benton’s Smoky Mountain Country Hams, who has spent 45 years mastering the art of curing meat and making traditional country ham, slow-smoked bacon and sausage using century-old techniques rather than modern technology—customs that spring from his Appalachian upbringing.

Mushrooms on the Mother Fire

1m 15s

At Ironbound Farm in Asbury Township, New Jersey, Head Chef, Gunnar Bentley, shows Lidia how to cook mushrooms as well as chicken on what they call the “mother fire,” an incredible 30-foot-tall outdoor grill. Opened as a cidery only a few years ago, the Farm has a big mission: training members of chronically underemployed populations with valuable farming skills to bring back to their communities.

Lidia Celebrates America: The Return of the Artisans Preview

1m 23s

Watch the preview for Lidia Celebrates America: The Return of the Artisans. Join Lidia Bastianich this holiday season, as the renowned chef, author and food ambassador journeys across the country to explore how food artisans and artisanal crafts are gaining momentum in the U.S.

Comal Heritage Food Incubator - Erika

2m 53s

In Denver, Colorado, Lidia pays a visit to the Comal Heritage Food Incubator, where budding chefs can take their family recipes and elevate them for public consumption through a restaurant and catering business. Erika Rojas is a recent graduate of the program who has started her own food truck business.

Lidia and Maxwell Mraz Make Lefse & Salted Eelpout Cakes

2m 19s

To learn about Walker, MN and its traditions, Lidia visits local chef Maxwell Mraz. He shows Lidia how to prepare salted eelpout cakes. Eelpout is found in Minnesota’s lakes. They also make Lefse, a recipe from Max's Scandinavian grandmother. In her latest special A Heartland Holiday Feast, Lidia Bastianich travels cross-country meeting Americans with diverse heritages and culinary traditions.

Lidia Makes Gumbo in Louisiana

2m 15s

Lidia visits Natchitoches, Louisiana, in Creole Country, where she meets Lillie Delphin, who is renowned in the area for her Creole cooking. Together they make a delicious Gumbo to share with friends. In her latest special A Heartland Holiday Feast, Lidia Bastianich travels cross-country meeting Americans with diverse heritages and culinary traditions.

Lidia makes Tamales in Texas

1m 58s

At Milpa’s Kitchen, in Denton, TX, Lidia connects with owner Jorge Landeros and his cousin Cecilia. Together they make some of the legendary tamales that Milpa's is known for. In her latest special A Heartland Holiday Feast, Lidia Bastianich travels cross-country meeting Americans with diverse heritages and culinary traditions.

Lidia Celebrates America: A Heartland Holiday Feast Preview

1m 39s

Watch the preview for Lidia Celebrates America: A Heartland Holiday Feast. In her latest documentary special A Heartland Holiday Feast, Lidia Bastianich takes viewers on a cross-country journey. She explores how Americans representing diverse heritages are both preserving their own culinary traditions and transforming local cuisine.

Pork and Mustard Greens with Wisconsin's Hmong Community

2m 39s

In Wasau, WI, Lidia joins Lee Lor, to prepare Pork and Mustard Greens, a traditional dish of the Hmong community, refugees from Southeast Asia. Lidia Bastianich's latest special A Heartland Holiday Feast, shows her traveling cross-country, and meeting Americans with diverse heritages and culinary traditions.

Lidia's Risotto

39s

In rural Pennsylvania, Lidia hosts a celebratory meal for the family and friends she connected with on her journey through America's heartland. Here she makes an Italian Risotto for her guests. A Heartland Holiday Feast is Lidia Bastianich's latest special, in which she travels cross-country meeting Americans with diverse heritages and culinary traditions.

Kissing the Fish

1m 8s

On the frozen Leech lake in Walker, MN, Lidia and her grandson Miles meet Jason Rylander, an expert eelpout fisherman. He helps them catch the elusive fish, and because it's an eelpout fishing tradition they each give the fish a kiss! In her latest special A Heartland Holiday Feast, Lidia Bastianich travels cross-country meeting Americans with diverse heritages and culinary traditions.

Lidia & Kate's Pigs

2m 5s

While in Denton, Texas, Lidia spends time with Kate Swan, age 12, who raises pigs and shows them at the State Fair. Kate show's Lidia how to wash brush, and feed the pigs, getting them ready for showing. In her latest special A Heartland Holiday Feast, Lidia Bastianich travels cross-country meeting Americans with diverse heritages and culinary traditions.

Lidia Makes Shoofly Pie in Pennsylvania

2m 30s

In Bethlehem, PA, Bonnie Boyer and her grandson Adam show Lidia how to make shoofly pie. Bonnie is locally renowned for her Pennsylvania Dutch recipes; she has the reputation for making some of the best shoofly pie in the area. In her latest special A Heartland Holiday Feast, Lidia Bastianich travels cross-country meeting Americans with diverse heritages and culinary traditions.

A Celebratory Meal

1m 23s

In rural Pennsylvania, Lidia hosts a celebratory meal for the family and friends she connected with on her journey through America's heartland. Here she toasts her friends, and a guest sings a beautiful operatic song. In her latest special A Heartland Holiday Feast, Lidia Bastianich travels cross-country meeting Americans with diverse heritages and culinary traditions.

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