A Taste of History
Chef Walter Staib travels to historic locations in the U.S. and beyond to trace favorite foods to their colonial roots. He cooks in open hearth kitchens using the tools of the era, including Dutch ovens, spider pots, fire pokers and hot coals.
- 2008-2024
- 14 seasons
- Janson Media
- Documentary
Chef Walter Staib travels to historic locations in the U.S. and beyond to trace favorite foods to their colonial roots. He cooks in open hearth kitchens using the tools of the era, including Dutch ovens, spider pots, fire pokers and hot coals.
Season 4 Episode Guide
13 Episodes 2012 - 2013
Episode 1
Freedom Trail
Mon, Aug 17, 2026 23 mins
Chef Walter follows The Freedom Trail, a walking tour of famous sites from 18th century Boston, then inspires us with more historic Boston favorites, Clam Chowder and Tripe a la Mode.
Episode 2
Longfellow's Poem
Mon, Aug 17, 2026 23 mins
"The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere", Henry Longfellow's poem, made an obscure silversmith into an enduring Revolutionary legend. The poem is retold as Chef Walter accompanies the prose with Lobster Pie and Deep Fried Quail Eggs.
Episode 3
Remembering John Adams
Mon, Aug 17, 2026 23 mins
John Adams, 2nd President and a founding father, feared history would not remember him. Chef Staib honors Adams with a classic New England Boiled Dinner, and visits Adams' birthplace home in Quincy.
Episode 4
Antigua: Harboring British Interests
Mon, Aug 17, 2026 23 mins
18th century Antigua was home to Britain's second largest naval port, commanded by Lord Admiral Nelson. Chef Walter invokes these spirits in his preparation of Seafood Water and Pumpkin Pancakes in the shadow of a sugar plantation windmill and archaeological dig.
Episode 5
St. Lucia: Tropical Delights, Naval Fights
Mon, Aug 17, 2026 23 mins
St. Lucia is an island of mixed cultures: East Indian, African, French and British. The island played a critical role in winning the American Revolution. But it's the cultural stew that Chef Walter blends in these brilliant recipes: Curried Chicken and Buillion.
Episode 6
The Story of Rum
Mon, Aug 17, 2026 23 mins
Rum was so valuable in the 18th Century that some preferred it as currency. We travel to Guyana, where Rum is made today in much the same ways as before, and visit an Amerindian village and 700 feet high Kaieteur Falls, Chef Staib cooks traditional Guyanese dishes using local ingredients.
Episode 7
In Search of Catcup
Mon, Aug 17, 2026
Catchup originated as a fish sauce in Asia. From there British sailors incorporated it into their cooking. Chef Staib travels to Malaysia to trace the origins of catchup visit an organic farm, and prepare local Malaysian specialties in bamboo rice.
Episode 8
William Penn
Mon, Aug 17, 2026 23 mins
The freedoms asserted in the Declaration of Independence are a direct result of William Penn's "Grand Experiment". In this episode, we visit Penn's North American home and learn about his planned city, Philadelphia. In Penn's honor, Chef Staib prepares Oxtail Soup and Rib Roast with Yorkshire Pancakes.
Episode 9
18th Century Cookbooks
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 23 mins
Three seminal cookbooks are the inspiration for Chef Walter's 18th Century American recipes: Mary Randolph's "Stuffed Veal Breast," Hannah Glasse's "Braised Veal Heart and Martha Washington's Excellent Cake.
Episode 10
James Monroe
Mon, Aug 17, 2026 23 mins
Our 5th President, James Monroe, was taught law by his close friend and neighbor Thomas Jefferson. We learn about the Monroe Doctrine, and Chef Staib cooks at Monroe's Ash Lawn estate, preparing Fried Lake Perch and Kohlrabi in his honor.
Episode 11
Pirates Get Their Due
Mon, Aug 17, 2026 23 mins
At the end of the 17th Century, Port Royal in Jamaica was awash in pirates, including famous Captain Morgan. Their endless partying suddenly came to a stop when an earthquake gobbled up the tawdry town. Chef Walter visits Port Royal to see the amazing intact underwater city, then cooks on the Rio Grande river, as the Arawaks have done for centuries.
Episode 12
Blue Mountain Coffee
Mon, Aug 17, 2026 23 mins
Coffee came to Jamaica in 1740. We climb Jamaica's famous Blue Mountains to visit a modern-day coffee plantation, and Chef Watler prepares an elaborate Jamaican Plantation brunch.
Episode 13
The First Five Presidents
Mon, Aug 17, 2026 23 mins
In this very special season finale, we look back at our profiles of the first five presidents, the foods they loved, and highlights from each of their lives. We do this from the White House, site of many of those memorable feasts. A very fitting way to end the Fourth Season of "A Taste of History."