By Judy Shields
Photos The Hollywood Times
Los Angeles, California (The Hollywood Times) 07/13/2022 – “Some of you might have seen the series about Julia Child, it is a story about public television and how that beginning started to pull together the stations around the country and ultimately created what is PBS, so adding to this great tradition is this terrific series, The Great American Recipe.” President and CEO, Public Media Group of Southern California told the audience.
SoCal Contestants Foo Nguyen, Silvia Martinez and Executive Producer Jilly Pearce participated in a Post-Screening Panel Discussion last night at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes (501 North Main St, LA, CA 90012) in downtown Los Angeles.
In celebration of the series, PBS SoCal hosted a free community event on July 12th where attendees enjoyed food and drinks prepared by Chef Bret Thompson of Pez Cantina on behalf of LA Plaza Cocina, the recently opened museum and teaching kitchen, alongside a screening of the season’s fourth episode.
Afterwards, a panel discussion with Foo Nguyen and Silvia Martinez (THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE contestants) and Jilly Pearce (series Executive Producer and President of Objective Media Group America) took place, followed by light refreshments and mariachi music along with resources and activities from local community partners.
Jilly Pearce (series Executive Producer) and Silvia Martinez
(THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE contestant)
PBS SoCal | KCET always seems to put on the best events and this one was right up there will them all. The venues these events take place are also incredible places and last night’s was memorable. Being invited to these events are always ones I don’t want to miss. All the folks from PBS SoCal/KCET are wonderful people to work with and they are so knowledgeable about all things PBS/KCET. It was great to meet Foo and Silvia, who I just love on the show and I learned that all the contestants became good friends and they all text each other every day to stay in touch. I told Silvia that I wanted to learn how to make homemade flour tortillas. I asked them both how was it to be here in person and have one of their recipes being made for all of us invited guest to try out. Foo said he that it was really cool and that he didn’t have to cook either. Silvia said it made her proud and said she loves being part of the show. Series Executive Producer Jilly Pearce said it was really a great show to be part of and that all the contestants were great home cooks and they loved making their dishes for the judges.
It was a cool and breezy night in Downtown LA for delicious food, tasty drinks and mariachi music performed by an all women band. The night started with Foo’s Back-to-school Fried Rice with a half a wiener shaped as an octopus (you will have to watch the show to see what I am referring too!), Silvia’s Tri Tip Tacos and Pez Cantina’s spicy Ahi Tuna Tostadas, all three delicious indeed. They were prepared by Chef Bret Thompson of Pez Cantina using the new kitchen from LA Plaza Cocina.
Andrew (Andy) Russell, President & CEO, Public Media Group of SoCal welcomed us all and spoke about their newest show The Great American Recipe and then introduced the CEO of LA Plaza Cocina, Leticia Rhi Buckley, who talked about the new kitchen and what they offer with the new kitchen and classes and talked about the class to make homemade tortillas. She introduced Ximena Martin Director of Programming and Culinary Arts and other board members and staff and welcomed us and told us that we were standing in the first of its kind in the country museums dedicated to Mexican and Mexican American cuisine and she is very proud of that. She had to exit stage left and told us that she had to do “Mom Duty” because it was her kids 13th birthday.
LA Plaza Cocina, the recently opened museum and teaching kitchen is a great place to show your kids and grandkids about the Hispanic culture and the foods they prepare.
PBS SoCal, the home of the entire PBS schedule and a crucial educational resource for the Southern California region, will celebrate the upcoming broadcast of the new series THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE premiered Friday, June 24 at 9 p.m. PT on PBS SoCal, with a regional event promoting multiculturalism through food. The eight-part series features ten incredible home cooks offering their takes on various dishes with a range of culinary styles infused by their backgrounds.
Select programming will also be available to stream on PBS.org and the free PBS App. Members of PBS SoCal | KCET get extended access through PBS Passport.
THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE’s Judge Tiffany Derry, Host Alejandra Ramos and Judge Graham Elliot (Photo courtesy of PBS/VPM)
Co-produced by VPM, Virginia’s home for public media, and Objective Media Group America, 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. 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.
Chef Tiffany Derry, Judge; Host Alejandra Ramos and Chef Graham Elliott, Judge and Chef Leah Cohen, Judge (Photo courtesy of PBS/VPM)
Alejandra Ramos is the host of The Great American Recipe. She is a television host, TODAY Show food & lifestyle contributor, trained chef, and food writer known for creative recipes and entertaining ideas that are playful, improvisational, and always just a little bit extra
Tiffany Derry is a judge on The Great American Recipe. The Texas native is the founder of Tiffany Derry Concepts and co-founder of T2D Concepts, the Texas-based purpose-driven hospitality group behind Roots Chicken Shak, Roots Southern Table and ‘Shef Tiffany spice and apparel line.
Leah Cohen is a judge on The Great American Recipe. Leah is the chef and owner of acclaimed New York City restaurant Pig & Khao on the Lower East Side. A 2013 StarChefs Rising Stars Award recipient, Leah’s Filipino upbringing and annual expeditions to the region are reflected in her cooking philosophy, which stays true to authentic Southeast Asian flavors while incorporating classical western techniques.
Graham Elliot is a judge on The Great American Recipe, premiering June 24 on PBS. Graham is a self-described “navy brat,” has traveled the world and all 50 states, sparking an intense interest in food which led him to attend Johnson & Wales University. As of 2021, Graham Elliot resides in Oʻahu, Hawaii and is the Executive Chef and Culinary Director of the flagship restaurant, Pounders at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Lāʻie.
10 contestants. Back row Brian Leigh from Bowling Green, KY; Tony Scherber, from Minneapolis, MN; Robin Daumit, from Annapolis, MD and Bambi Daniels from Winston-Salem, NC. Middle two are Christina McAlvey from Portland, OR and Irma Cadiz from Rochester, NY. Bottom row is Foo Nguyen from Orange County, Dan Rinaldi (a fireman) from Providence, RI, Silvia Martinez from San Luis Obispo and Nikki Tomiano-Allemand from Boise, ID (Photo courtesy of PBS/VPM)
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.
The first episode entitled “If I Were a Recipe” the contestants will have two rounds to compete with a different recipe that will be judged on taste, execution, presentation and how well the recipe showcases the theme. The first round, the contestants were given 60 minutes to create a dish with every single delicious flavor that they feel defines who they are and to make a memorable first impression. Round 2 they had 90 minutes to create a dish where they were from, their culture. What a great first show indeed and how creative these contestants were and American and the world will surely enjoy making the dishes that the contestants prepared.
The second episode entitled “The Daily Dish” and the first round theme was Cook a dish that you make in a pinch in 45 minutes. Humorous episode! Second round was 90 minutes to cook their most crowd pleasing recipe. Definitely and great episode with the contestants feeling more comfortable and talking amongst each other and even helping out here and there.
The third episode entitled “Love Language”, so glad they had an episode about cooking and love, because in my opinion, as a mother and grandmother, I cook for the love of my sons and grandsons. The contestants had 60 minutes to Cook a comfort food dish and this was my favorite episode. Round two theme was Cook a dish inspired by a loved one. Amazing dishes were prepared and spices were apparently used. I really like how the judges chose their two favorite dishes and then announce the overall winner. It is said to see when someone has to be eliminated as this is a contest after all, but tears were shed and hugs all around.
The fourth episode, which will air this coming Friday was shown at last night’s event. “Ready to Go Meals” where the contestants had 60 mins to prepare meals that they take on the go and one of the contestants was quite brave in the dish they prepared. I will definitely being making all the dishes that were presented. Round 2 theme was “Festive Outdoor Food Event” where they had 90 mins to create their outdoor dishes. It is amazing what they came up with and all dishes are great for tailgate parties, picnics and all those outdoor food events. Of course, last night the episode was stopped before we could find out who they chose as the winner for that episode. We will all have to wait to see it on Friday.
“I think what makes this show different from other cooking shows is the host and three judges. They all give advice to the home chefs from their heart and seem to make the contestants feel like they are just cooking at home. They give honest feedback about the dishes that are prepared. Check the show out and you will see what I mean.” Judy Shields, The Hollywood Times
THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE is 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).
For more information on THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE, visit: https://www.pbs.org/show/great-american-recipe/ and follow @PBS and @PBSSoCal on social media.
About PBS SoCal
PBS SoCal is a donor-supported community institution that is a part of Public Media Group of Southern California, the flagship PBS station formed by the merger of PBS SoCal and KCETLink Media Group. PBS SoCal delivers content and experiences that inspire, inform and entertain – over the air, online, in the community and in the classroom. We offer the full slate of beloved PBS programs including MASTERPIECE, NOVA, PBS NewsHour, FRONTLINE, Independent Lens, a broad library of documentary films including works from Ken Burns; and educational PBS KIDS programs including Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and Curious George. PBS programming is available to stream on the FREE PBS App on iOS and Android devices, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Samsung Smart TV, and Chromecast. PBS SoCal is also available to watch live on YouTube TV.
About VPM
As Virginia’s home for public media, VPM connects nearly 2 million people across Central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley to insightful programming in arts and culture, history, science, news and education. VPM operates public television stations VPM PBS, VPM Plus, VPM PBS KIDS, lifestyle channel VPM Create and international program channel VPM WORLD, as well as Richmond NPR station VPM News (88.9 FM) and VPM Music (107.3 FM, 93.1 FM and 88.9-HD2). In the Northern Neck (89.1 FM) and Southside Virginia (90.1 FM), listeners receive a combination of news and music. Audiences can access VPM online at VPM.org and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
About OBJECTIVE MEDIA GROUP AMERICA
Objective Media Group America is the US arm of Objective Media Group. An LA-based All3Media America company, OMG America is led by President, Jilly Pearce in creating and producing original entertainment and factual formats, including “12 Dates of Christmas” (HBO Max), “Worst Cooks in America” (The Food Network), “Spring Baking Championship: Easter” (The Food Network), “Great Balloon Bomb Invasion” (discovery+), as well as all new and upcoming series including “Lingo” for CBS, “Phrogger: Hider in My House” (Lifetime) and more. OMG America also adapts formats created and produced by Objective Media Group in the UK, which is headquartered in London and headed up by CEO Layla Smith, including the U.S. version of popular gameshow “The Cube” on TBS, which is returning this year for a second season.
