Two Emmys for “A Taste of History”

For “A Taste of History,” the television series that explores America’s culinary roots, City Tavern Chef Walter Staib immerses viewers in the dishes and cooking techniques of the nation’s founders as a way into the historical context. Prints, maps, broadsides, pamphlets, and engravings from the Library Company’s collections are used extensively to help illustrate the show’s larger themes. The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences acknowledged Staib’s skill with a Best Host Emmy Award in September and bestowed an additional award upon show director James Davey.

“We use food as a way to bring history to life,” says producer Ariel Schwarz. In each episode, Staib explores the origins of featured recipes and ingredients to unearth their stories. Past episodes have been taped in significant historic locations, such as Philadelphia’s Rittenhousetown, the banks of the Delaware River at Washington’s Crossing, and Monticello. In each case cooking leads to a larger examination of such subjects as Martha Washington’s contributions at Valley Forge, the Washingtons’ well-known slave-chef Hercules, or the operation of Jefferson’s gardens and kitchen.

“A Taste of History” airs Sunday afternoons on WHYY and PBS NJN.