WTTW Focuses on Food and Family

Daniel Hautzinger

December 16, 2019

Chef Mike Lee eats Korean samgyetang and banchan with Chef Vivian Howard at his restaurant M Sushi in Durham, in 'South by Somewhere.' Photo: Blaire Johnson/Markay Media

Chicagoans love food. WTTW knows that, which is why so much of our programming and digital content focuses on it. But in the first few months, we’re putting even more of an emphasis on culinary content. Discover some of our upcoming programming around PBS’s food and family initiative, from the new to some gems, as well as digital series that are always worth your time.

No Passport Required

Sneak peek on Friday, December 20 at 9:00 pm; Mondays at 9:00 pm beginning January 20

Marcus Samuelsson explores Los Angeles's Armenian community in 'No Passport Required'

Chef Marcus Samuelsson hits the road again for a second season of exploring immigrant communities in various American cities through their cuisines and traditions. In the same spirit, WTTW is telling the stories of five diverse restaurants clustered along a half-mile stretch of Lawrence Avenue.

Julia Child: American Masters

Thursday, January 2 at 10:00 pm

She was always a joy to watch on TV and changed how Americans cook and eat at home—take a look back at the life and career of Julia Child in this documentary.

Check, Please!

Fridays at 8:00 pm beginning January 3

Alpana Singh with guests in season 19 of 'Check, Please!' Photo: WTTW/Ken Carl

The 19th season continues with locals recommending everything from the Chicago Magic Lounge to the upscale Gibson’s Italia. Don’t miss Alpana Singh’s weekly posts about wine pairing, restaurant tips, recipes, and more, at Alpana a la Carte, and learn more about the history of a cuisine, ingredient, or anything else food-related at the World of Food. Plus, hear Chicago chefs and other hospitality industry veterans discuss their work in our digital series Chat, Please!

Finding Your Roots

Tuesdays at 8:00 pm beginning January 7

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. welcomes Sterling K. Brown, Queen Latifah, Jeff Goldblum, Sigourney Weaver, and other celebrities to his popular show to help them discover their family origins and ancestral stories.

Flavor of Poland

Saturdays at 11:00 am beginning January 11

'Flavor of Poland' host Aleksandra August

In this new series, host Aleksandra August brings you along to Poland as she explores the dishes and cuisine of the country before returning to the kitchen to teach you how to prepare some of the recipes she encounters.

Foods of Chicago: A Delicious History

Thursday, January 16 at 8:00 pm

Join Geoffrey Baer as he dives into some of Chicago’s iconic foods and their origins—don’t worry, there’s no ketchup in sight!

The Poison Squad: American Experience

Tuesday, February 4 at 9:00 pm

Thanks to some dedicated advocates around the turn of the last century, we live and eat in a much healthier world in America, without frequent outbreaks of food-related disease—discover their forgotten story.

South by Somewhere

Friday, March 27 at 9:00 pm

Chef Mashama Bailey at her restaurant The Grey in Savannah with Chef Vivian Howard. Photo: Josh Woll/Markay Media

There’s a certain type of food that comes to mind when you think of the American South, but in this new series from Chef Vivian Howard, that stereotype is far from what you’ll encounter as she explores innovative, border-defying dishes from creative chefs redefining the South.

The Inn at Little Washington: A Delicious Documentary

Friday, March 27 at 10:00 pm

Chef Patrick O'Connell at The Inn at Little Washington. Photo: Greg Powers

Chef Patrick O’Connell is a self-taught chef who has ascended to the upper echelons of the food world, winning a Lifetime Achievement Award from the James Beard Foundation last year. Watch as he pursues a third Michelin star for his restaurant, The Inn at Little Washington.