THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE

By Jennifer Robinson / Web Producer

Published June 3, 2022 at 1:01 PM PDT

This story was published more than 3 years ago.

Alejandra Ramos, host of THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE

Encore Saturday, Sept. 3 and Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022 from Noon - 4 p.m. p.m. on KPBS TV / On demand with PBS Video App

Ten talented home cooks who will be showcasing their culinary expertise in THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE, a new eight-part uplifting competition series that celebrates the multiculturalism that makes American food so vibrant and unique. With a range of culinary styles infused by their backgrounds — from Syrian to Hungarian, Vietnamese to Mexican, Italian to Puerto Rican, Southern soul food to Filipino, the ten contestants represent the delicious diversity of American home cooking.

Join host Alejandra Ramos and judges Leah Cohen, Tiffany Derry and Graham Elliot as ten talented home cooks showcase signature dishes, share heartfelt stories and compete to win the national search for “The Great American Recipe.”

Hosted by Alejandra Ramos, each episode of the series gives the cooks the opportunity to showcase two of their beloved signature dishes as they compete to win the national search for “The Great American Recipe.” Judges Leah Cohen, Tiffany Derry and Graham Elliot bring their professional insights and deep culinary knowledge to encourage and support the contestants along the way.

Become a KPBS sponsor

THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE judges Tiffany Derry, Alejandra Ramos and Graham Elliot.

THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE blends food, family and fun, highlighting the amazing variety of tastes and traditions found across the U.S., while capturing the roots of America’s diverse cuisine. From family favorites passed down through generations, to internationally influenced recipes that are quickly becoming mainstays of American cuisine, the series mixes camaraderie with competition, revealing rich personal stories and the inspiration behind the contestant’s favorite recipes.

Discover how The Great American Recipe will present a wonderful mix of cultures and traditions. More than just your typical cooking competition show, you'll go beyond the recipes to learn the stories behind the dishes. Meet some of the talented home cooks as well as host Alejandra Ramos and judges Leah Cohen, Tiffany Derry and Graham Elliot.

THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE will culminate in a finale that features the finalists preparing an entire meal for the judges to make their ultimate decision. One of the winner’s dishes will grace the cover of The Great American Recipe Cookbook, which will also feature recipes from all of the contestants and the show’s host and judges.

Judges Tiffany Derry and Graham Elliot, host Alejandra Ramos and Leah Cohen (l-r).

EPISODE GUIDE:

Episode 1: “If I Were A Recipe” encore Saturday, Sept. 3 at Noon on KPBS TV - Join the ten contestants for their first challenge: creating a dish that expresses their unique story and talents. Next, they put their original spin on regional dishes and ingredients, and BBQ chicken and Korean tacos are on the menu.

First look of the set of THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE

Episode 2: “The Daily Dish” encore Saturday, Sept. 3 at 1 p.m. on KPBS TV - Bring your appetites as the nine remaining home cooks share their favorite go-to quick meals and the dishes that always win over a crowd. Get ready for everything from mouth-watering shrimp tacos to a spicy sriracha pasta.

Become a KPBS sponsor

Irma has lived in Harlem for the past decade and has allowed the diverse neighborhood to influence her personal recipes, mastering both Monfongo and Korean Fried Chicken.

Episode 3: “Love Language” encore Saturday, Sept. 3 at 2 p.m. on KPBS TV - Join us in the kitchen as the remaining eight cooks share favorite comfort foods and a dish inspired by a loved one. From first date cuisine to sentimental recipes passed down through generations, love is definitely in the air.

Foo is originally from Vietnam and grew up with seven siblings in Cincinnati Ohio. He helped his mom in the kitchen and as he learned to cook he’d often combine Asian flavors with Midwestern comfort food classics, like adding Japanese pickles to a Cincinnati Cheese Coney.

Episode 4 “Moveable Feasts” encore Saturday, Sept. 3 at 3 p.m. on KPBS TV - Get ready to grab and go as the remaining seven cooks prepare handheld treats and the ultimate in outdoor dining. From picnics to tailgating to poolside, everyone has a delicious dish that tastes like sunshine and fun.

Dan, a firefighter by day and home cook by night, was raised living with multiple generations of his Italian family, and takes pride in sharing his family recipes. Check out The Great American Recipe premiering June 24 on PBS to discover Dan and his passion for food.

Episode 5 “Party on a Plate” encore Sunday, Sept. 4 at Noon on KPBS TV - Get ready to party as the six remaining home cooks share their favorite special occasion and holiday recipes. From modern takes on classic gourmet fare to old-time family recipes filled with love and memories, it's a special night in the barn.

Have you ever heard of Fili-fusion? It’s a mash up of Filipino flavors blended with other cuisine, and it’s also Great American Recipe contestant Christina Mcalvey’s go-to cooking style!

Episode 6: “Mix It Up” encore Sunday, Sept. 4 at 1 p.m. on KPBS TV - Watch what happens when the five remaining cooks have to swap recipes and prepare each other's dishes. Then, each must wow the judges with an original fusion dish that represents their own uniquely American story.

"When you cook with love no matter what it is, it's the best thing that you've ever tasted." We're so excited to welcome Bambi Daniels to The Great American Recipe!

Episode 7: "Family" encore Sunday, Sept. 4 at 2 p.m. on KPBS TV - Celebrate family as the four remaining cooks prepare two dishes inspired by their friends and families. Whether it’s a neighbor’s lasagna or a dish passed down from grandma, the judges are in for some heartfelt food.

If you're a fan of rustic Southern home cooking, then Brian Leigh is sure to be your favorite on the Great American Recipe. Brian infuses his Hungarian and German heritage with his southern roots into his food.

Episode 8: "The Great American Recipe" encore Sunday, Sept. 4 at 3 p.m. on KPBS TV - It’s time for the season finale as the three remaining cooks go head-to-head to win “The Great American Recipe.” They’ll have some surprise helpers for their final chance to wow the judges with a very special dinner.

Pass a plate to Tiffany Derry, a judge on The Great American Recipe! The Texas native is a master chef, farm-to-table advocate, restaurant owner and lover of all kinds of cuisine. Tiffany’s culinary icon is her mom and she gets much inspiration from her adaptations on recipes. You can probably find Tiffany cooking up something delicious or on THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE, premiering June 24!

Watch On Your Schedule:

THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE will be available to stream on all station-branded PBS platforms, including PBS.org and the PBS Video app, available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Samsung Smart TV, Chromecast and VIZIO.

Judge Tiffany Derry, host Alejandra Ramos, and judges Graham Elliot and Leah Cohen (l-r).

Credits:

Co-produced for PBS by VPM and Objective Media Group America. Steve Humble is the Executive in Charge for VPM. Zara Frankel is the Executive in Charge for PBS. At Objective Media Group America, Layla Smith and Jilly Pearce are Executive Producers, and Saterah Moore is SVP of Current Programming. Funding for THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE, including PBS station engagement activities, is provided by VPM and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).

THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE

Fact-based local news is essential