Confucius Was a Foodie
Chinese cuisine is perhaps the oldest and most sophisticated organized cuisine in the world. It boasts over 5,000 years of history, yet in North America many Westerners today hear Chinese food and immediately picture overly sweet and sticky red sauces and over-fried globs of dough. Inspired by the discovery that the 2,500 year old philosopher Confucius was in fact a 'gourmand', classically trained celebrity chef Christine Cushing questions what Chinese cuisine really is and is North America eating it. Is Chinese food Chinese cuisine? Is North American 'Chinese' even Chinese? Are fortune cookies, chop suey and egg foo yung? Christine has long been fascinated by how a cuisine is transported from country to country as a culture's biggest ambassador and by the power of sharing food. Christine is a life-long student of culture and in Confucius Was a Foodie she takes viewers along as she explores the beginnings, the today and the future of Chinese cuisine in North America. Surprisingly, at every turn Christine discovers how much she and Confucius have in common when it comes to food! Christine connects with traditional Chinese chefs and various experts who will act as her guides and mentors as she discovers how Chinese cuisine is flourishing in North America despite misunderstandings and misconceptions. Her adventure begins as she travels to the west coast to explore the beginnings of Chinese cuisine in North America and to the east coast to see how it has evolved and is celebrated.
- 2017-2026
- 3 seasons
- Documentary
Chinese cuisine is perhaps the oldest and most sophisticated organized cuisine in the world. It boasts over 5,000 years of history, yet in North America many Westerners today hear Chinese food and immediately picture overly sweet and sticky red sauces and over-fried globs of dough. Inspired by the discovery that the 2,500 year old philosopher Confucius was in fact a 'gourmand', classically trained celebrity chef Christine Cushing questions what Chinese cuisine really is and is North America eating it. Is Chinese food Chinese cuisine? Is North American 'Chinese' even Chinese? Are fortune cookies, chop suey and egg foo yung? Christine has long been fascinated by how a cuisine is transported from country to country as a culture's biggest ambassador and by the power of sharing food. Christine is a life-long student of culture and in Confucius Was a Foodie she takes viewers along as she explores the beginnings, the today and the future of Chinese cuisine in North America. Surprisingly, at every turn Christine discovers how much she and Confucius have in common when it comes to food! Christine connects with traditional Chinese chefs and various experts who will act as her guides and mentors as she discovers how Chinese cuisine is flourishing in North America despite misunderstandings and misconceptions. Her adventure begins as she travels to the west coast to explore the beginnings of Chinese cuisine in North America and to the east coast to see how it has evolved and is celebrated.
Season 3 Episode Guide
6 Episodes 2018
Episode 1
Salty
The challenges of harvesting sea salt in Thailand's salt fields; visiting Thailand's most unusual market; cooking traditional Chinese cuisine in Bangkok.
Episode 2
Sweet
How different cultures use sugar; the rice paddies of Malaysia; visiting the night market in Bangkok's Chinatown with food writer Chawadee Nualkhair; pastry chef Janice Wong.
Episode 3
Sour
Humans may be the only mammals attracted to sour flavours. Some believe that sour flavours can help digestion and whet the appetite. In three traditional Chinese cuisines, it is often used for balancing other elements in the dish.
Episode 4
Bitter
The bitterness of Chinese medicinal herbs is said to clear heat, strengthen the stomach and promote salivation; the bitter fruit durian in Malaysia; a visit with hotelier Christopher Ong on Penang island.
Episode 5
Spicy
Chef Christine visits the Malaysian island of Penang, a location historically important to the story of spice trade with TV celebrity Chef Wan for a fun and fact-filled visit to the Tropical Spice Garden.
Episode 6
Xian
Christine explores xian, a traditional Chinese flavour that is sometimes likened to umami, and visits Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore, where she learns that xian has different aftertastes in each location.