Follow Alice Waters (b. April 28, 1944) through a year of seasonal shopping and cooking, and discover both the recipes and vision of an artist and an advocate. She and her now-famous restaurant Chez Panisse became a major force behind the way Americans eat and think about food, launching the explosion of local farmers’ markets and redesigned supermarket produce departments. Distressed by the food she saw in public schools, Waters started an organic garden with an integrated curriculum at the Martin Luther King Middle School near her house, an idea inspired by The Garden Project at the San Francisco county jail. The idea of an Edible Schoolyard has now spread across the U.S. – and inspired similar programs worldwide. She is an activist with a flawless palette who has taken her gift for food and turned it into consciousness about the environment and nutrition, and a device for social change. Originally broadcast March 2003. Directed by Doug Hamilton. A production of THIRTEEN PRODUCTIONS LLC’s American Masters for WNET.
Join world-renowned chef José Andrés on an exploration of the most unknown – and some say, the most beautiful – island in the Caribbean. While most Americans know Haiti only through its disasters (earthquake, hurricane, poverty), José explores the UNDISCOVERED HAITI. As a chef and humanitarian, José is convinced we can change the world through the power of food, and understand a culture by exploring what, when and how its people eat.
José experiences the authentic traditions and rituals of Haiti, from making cassava bread to midnight gatherings with voodoo priests. He dives deep into Haiti’s natural beauty, taking you to ancient waterfalls and untouched coastlines. He hunts for land crabs and mythical mushrooms in its lush forests, and tastes local specialties on the bustling streets of Port-Au-Prince. We learn the history behind Haiti's incredible historic sites like the Citadel and tour a 150 year-old rum factory.
Friends such as former President Bill Clinton and Chef Mario Batali even join José along the way.
In the spirit of both adventure and exploration, UNDISCOVERED HAITI WITH JOSÉ ANDRÉS follows Jose into the heart of this mysterious island; through it’s unique cuisine we discover the history and culture – and see into the future – of a proud and rarely understood people.
SpainExperience a century of food through the life of one man, James Beard (1903-1985). Dubbed the “Dean of American Cookery” by The New York Times, Beard was a Portland, Ore., native who loved and celebrated the bounty of the Pacific Northwest. He spoke of the importance of localism and sustainability long before those terms had entered the vernacular. At a time of “all things French,” Beard appreciated what America had to bring to the table, and was the first chef to go on television to teach not only women, but men, how to cook. A cookbook author, journalist, television celebrity and teacher, Beard helped to pioneer and expand the food media industry into the billion-dollar business it is today. Written and Directed by Elizabeth Federici. Produced by Elizabeth Federici and Kathleen Squires. A production of Federici Films LLC and THIRTEEN PRODUCTIONS LLC’s American Masters for WNET.