Watch Family Ingredients

Family Ingredients is a food and travel series that premiered on PBS in 2016. It is hosted by Hawaii-based chef Ed Kenney, who embarks on a journey to trace the origins of different dishes and explore the cultural and historical significance behind them. Throughout the show, Kenney visits different parts of the world, meeting with locals, and learning about their unique ingredients and culinary techniques.

As the title suggests, the show is all about the importance of family heritage and how food can be a powerful tool to connect us with our roots. This is exemplified through the show's format, which focuses on Kenney's personal family history and how it intertwines with the dishes he is exploring. Each episode starts with a personal story or a memory from Kenney's childhood, which serves as a backdrop to the eventual recipe he is trying to uncover.

What sets Family Ingredients apart from other food shows is its unique blend of storytelling and cooking. Each episode is not just about the food, but also about the journey Kenney takes to uncover it. Through interviews with local chefs, farmers, and historians, we learn about the cultural and historical context of each dish, and how it has evolved over time. Along the way, Kenney shares cooking tips and tricks, and demonstrates how to prepare the dishes in a modern kitchen.

One of the most endearing aspects of the show is Kenney's personality. He is warm, funny, and genuinely curious about the cultures he is exploring. He is always eager to try new things and learn from the people he meets, which makes for a truly engaging viewing experience. Additionally, his ion for sustainability and local ingredients adds an important layer to the show's message.

Another key aspect of the show is its focus on the cultural diversity of different cuisines. In one episode, Kenney travels to Vietnam to explore the origins of pho, a popular Vietnamese noodle soup. Through his journey, we learn about the French colonial influence on Vietnamese cuisine and how pho has become a symbol of Vietnamese culture. In another episode, Kenney visits Puerto Rico to learn about the origins of sofrito, a spice blend used in many Latin American dishes. Here, he learns about the African and Taino influences on Puerto Rican cuisine and how sofrito is a key ingredient in many traditional dishes.

Overall, Family Ingredients is a delightful and informative show that combines food, travel, and personal storytelling in a unique and engaging way. It is a perfect example of how food can bring people together and how important it is to preserve our culinary heritage. Whether you are a food lover or just enjoy learning about different cultures, this show is guaranteed to leave you entertained, informed, and perhaps a little bit hungry.

Family Ingredients is a series that ran for 3 seasons (16 episodes) between June 1, 2016 and on PBS