Watch Lidia Celebrates America

In 2011 PBS introduced Lidia Celebrates America, a television series that follows the cooking and travels of the famous chef Lidia Bastianich. The show's main objective is to showcase immigrant families and their cultural heritage by sharing food and stories of traditions around the United States.

Lidia Celebrates America is a documentary-style show that is designed to be informative and educational. Each episode focuses on a different cultural or historical aspect of American life, and Lidia explores how food plays a significant role in this. Throughout the show, she meets and cooks with families who have immigrated to the US and who bring with them unique and interesting cultural traditions.

The show is presented by Lidia Bastianich, who is widely known for her Italian cooking show Lidia's Kitchen, which airs on PBS. Lidia Celebrates America follows this format of cooking and storytelling but broadens the scope to include other cultures. Additionally, the show takes viewers out of the kitchen and immerses them in the cultural traditions of the featured families.

Lidia Celebrates America blends together elements of travel, cooking, and cultural history. One episode, for example, follows Lidia as she travels to the Mexican-American border to learn more about the cuisine of Mexican immigrants. She meets with families in El Paso, Texas, and Juarez, Mexico, and discusses food and culture while preparing traditional meals.

Another episode explores African American culture and the importance of soul food in Southern cuisine. Lidia visits South Carolina and Georgia to meet farmers and chefs who use traditional techniques to cook homestyle dishes. In this episode, viewers learn about the origins of many of the most popular soul food dishes, such as gumbo, fried chicken, and collard greens, and their significance in African American culture.

Lidia Celebrates America also explores the food cultures of Native and Asian Americans. In one episode, Lidia travels to the Navajo Nation in Arizona to explore the food, culture, and traditions of the tribe. She learns how to make fry bread and stews and participates in a traditional feast. In another episode, Lidia visits the San Francisco Bay Area, where she meets with Asian Americans to explore Chinese, Vietnamese, and Japanese culinary traditions.

Throughout the show, Lidia highlights the importance of food in bringing families together and preserving cultural traditions. She shares family recipes and personal stories of immigrant families, showing how food can connect people and create cultural understanding.

Lidia Celebrates America offers viewers a unique and informative look at the different cultures that have shaped America's history and cuisine. The show is an inspiring and educational exploration of the diverse people and foods that make up the US. Through Lidia's engaging storytelling and exceptional cooking, the series offers viewers a deeper understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity in America.

In conclusion, Lidia Celebrates America is a PBS show that presents the rich tapestry of food cultures in America that has historically resulted from diverse cultural traditions. Through various episodes presented in a documentary-style format, Lidia Bastianich takes us into various ethnic communities to learn about their food, history, and traditions which shape the United States. Each episode is well-researched, informative and presented with sparkling clarity. If you're looking for a show that explores the rich diversity of America's food and cultural heritage, Lidia Celebrates America is an excellent choice.

Lidia Celebrates America is a series that ran for 3 seasons (6 episodes) between December 20, 2011 and on PBS