'Taste the Nation' Review: Conversations on identity and history make the show more than just about food
Spoilers for 'Taste the Nation With Padma Lakshmi'
Hulu's 'Taste the Nation' attempts to answer the question 'What it means to be American' as Bravo's 'Top Chef' host and judge Padma Lakshmi takes viewers on a journey introducing them to different cuisines that have made the United States their home. Season 1 of the travel food show showcases a different location in each 30-minute episode comprising 10 different chances to try foods of different groups of immigrants as Lakshmi uncovers the roots behind food and its history. Immigrants, from the indigenous community to current arrivals have seen their cultural foods embed themselves into American tradition as Americans to some extent have tried to make it their own. These groups of people have found ways to preserve what they can of their culinary traditions, as we're shown how some cuisines have evolved since the start of their time. 'Taste the Nation' stands out among other travel foods shows, as it focuses on bringing awareness to how we know food, humans, and history are connected.
The series speaks of how food has been used in the past for more than just bringing people together as we learn about the history of 'fry bread' a Native American Dish that was curated from ingredients "forced upon" them by the US government at the time. The exploration of hardships that have given birth to dishes made not only to satisfy hunger but to bring a sense of identity, belonging and comfort, is well appreciated. While we definitely see Lakshmi try foods from different cultures, one that we enjoyed the most was episode 3 titled 'Don't Mind If I Dosa' which sees the cookbook author bring in the element of two cultures including one that comprises her identity as a first-generation Indian immigrant. The episode brings awareness to the importance of cultural identity even with food in the picture as we see Lakshmi in the kitchen with Indian cooking show host Madhur Jaffery, Lakshmi's childhood hero. The theme of how foods have defined a lot of cultures is prominent in this episode as we hear how Jaffery tries to raise her daughter with the ability to understand both her American and Indian identity.
Lakshmi, author of 'Tangy, Tart, Hot and Sweet: A World of Recipes for Every Day' is known for her ability to write about food with passion, but in this series, her reviews are not so different from what we've seen before. Although her opinion on the taste does not seem to be the focus, rather the conversations that spring up about the dish, its history, and its impact on its people is what the series seems to always dive into - this is always a refreshing aspect. It showcases the slight yet evident inclination of how immigrants, to some extent, are treated as outsiders, even as the American food culture has consumed their influence for years.
As for entertainment, we are taken across different areas of the United States, which is a breath of fake fresh air since most of the world is unable to travel during a pandemic. The series does bring a sense of calm and comfort as food is always known to do, as we are digitally exposed to the perspectives of individuals that have experienced things differently from us. While Lakshmi managed to uncover stories of how certain foods came to be, she also, with it, brought attention to the people behind the culture of where the food originated from. We are taken far away from the American cheeseburger and apple pie diet and pushed into a deeper appreciation of the different foods that have sustained its cultures through many generations. It's a celebration of food in all aspects - from its taste to its influence. It's an engaging experience that speaks of foods in the light of politics, culture, and history as conversations about enslavement, xenophobia, and assimilation marks this series as more than a "food travel show." It brings in various cultural influences in American food today by acknowledging the history behind it.
'Taste the Nation' is definitely for you if you have enjoyed shows such as 'Ugly Delicious' and 'Street Food' as it focuses on the complexity of how food affects more than just the state of hunger. It dives into the history of perseverance, the search for identity and the need to belong to a culture one was birthed into. It is an excellent binge-watch and viewers are definitely taken past food travelers and their favorite comment, "Hmm, that's SO good!" The show pushes viewers to look past the taste and appreciate the events that took place for them to be able to eat meals in comfort at their dinner table.
Catch all episodes of 'Taste the Nation With Padma Lakshmi' on June 19, 2020, on Hulu.