Netflix’s new docuseries “High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America” is not just a show about cuisine – it is also a powerful lesson in history. The show follows food writer Stephen Satterfield as he traces the origins and impact of Black food in America, accompanied by perspectives from chefs, historians, and descendants. Here, the food and cooking connect to an often painful past, but also demonstrate the will, fortitude, ingenuity, vibrance, and culture that emerged and persevered. Satterfield’s delicate questioning and overall gentleness unearth powerful stories that connect the past to present day, and make for an emotional, but ultimately, uplifting journey.
A feast for the eyes, the show also treats you to beautiful, luxurious shots of food and cooking environments, along with cinematic landscape shots from their places of origin. Plus, you’ll learn the origin of America’s foundational food – mac & cheese – and why the French word for “okra” is familiar to you. I also encourage you to read this New York Times piece on the show The Profound Significance of “High on the Hog.” Check it out now on Netflix – but fair warning – you’ll want to watch on a full stomach!
What TV shows have you enjoyed lately?
