Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines flavor as “the quality of something that affects the sense of taste” or “the blend of taste and smell sensations evoked by a substance in the mouth.” That sounds right.
Yet, for one celebrated chef, flavor tells a much deeper story that often is ignored. “Without the story, you really don’t know the dish. I want to express that fact, to encourage us to be curious about other people,” says Carla Hall, host and executive producer of “Chasing Flavor.”
Chef Hall’s culinary curiosity and genuine love for people, food, travel, history and culture inspired her to explore some of America’s most popular dishes. In the new six-episode Max series premiering Feb. 1, the award-winning author and Food Network personality chases down the origins and history of favorite foods in the U.S.
She travels from coast to coast and five other countries in search of the stories behind the flavor of some classic dishes. “I love that there is an element of history and a trail of discovery to connect cultures in surprising ways to particular dishes,” Hall comments. “There are things I discovered that I didn’t know, and I want to share that with the audience.”
Chasing Flavor and Coping with Feelings
Hall’s travels for “Chasing Favor” took her on a culinary adventure with unexpected discoveries, historical confirmations and emotional connections. In one of the six episodes, the Nashville native’s interest in hot chicken reignites her feelings about recipe origins and ownership.
“I remember wanting to open up my hot chicken place in New York. I remember being criticized by someone in Nashville, saying you’re stealing it, you’re taking it,” Hall recalls. “I understand why they’re saying it shouldn’t be outside of Nashville, but that isn’t how food works.”
The hot chicken episode gives viewers a revealing look at who actually created the spicy fried chicken dish. Chef Hall describes the emotional impact of meeting the Black family that served the first hot chicken in Nashville.
By Phyllis Armstrong.
