State Plate with Taylor Hicks Season 1 Episode 9 Georgia

Taylor Hicks, American Idol season five winner, continues his culinary adventure in the ninth episode of State Plate with Taylor Hicks season one, titled "Georgia." In this episode, Hicks travels across the Peach State to explore the history and food culture that Georgia has to offer.

Hicks starts his journey with a visit to Savannah, where he takes a stroll down the famous River Street to check out some of the best seafood the state has to offer. He tries the famous shrimp and grits, deviled crab, and oysters at a local restaurant, and meets the owners to learn the history behind these dishes. From there, Hicks heads to the Tybee Island Light Station and Museum to learn about the history of lighthouses and the crucial role they played in guiding ships to safety in the past.

Next, Hicks travels to Atlanta to explore the city's bustling food scene. He starts with a visit to Mary Mac's Tea Room, where he samples some of the best Southern comfort food around, including fried chicken, collard greens, and mac and cheese. Hicks then heads to the city's downtown area to check out the King of Pops, a local popsicle stand, and tries out some unique flavors, such as Coffee, Chocolate Sea Salt, and Blackberry Ginger Lemonade.

Moving on from the city, Hicks heads south to the town of Vidalia, which is famous for its Vidalia onions, considered to be some of the sweetest onions in the world. He meets with a local onion farmer to learn about the history and growing process of Vidalia onions and also learns about how the onions are used in various dishes like onion rings, onion dip, and onion fritters.

Hicks then heads west to the city of Columbus, where he checks out the National Civil War Naval Museum. Here, he learns about the role of the naval fleet during the Civil War and how the naval battle of Columbus played a crucial role in the war effort. Hicks also checks out the nearby Cannon Brew Pub, which serves Southern BBQ and craft beer, and tries out a pulled pork sandwich and a beer flight.

Continuing his journey west, Hicks arrives in the town of Plains, where he visits the Plains Peanut Festival to learn about the history of peanut farming in Georgia. He meets with peanut farmers and industry experts to learn about Georgia's famous peanut industry and tries out some unique peanut-based dishes like peanut soup, boiled peanuts, and peanut brittle.

Finally, Hicks ends his journey in the city of Atlanta at the famous Varsity drive-in restaurant. Here, he tries out some classic Southern fast food fare like chili dogs, hamburgers, and onion rings and learns how the Varsity became a culinary icon in the state.

Overall, "Georgia" is an exciting episode of State Plate with Taylor Hicks that offers a deep dive into the rich history, culture, and food traditions of the Peach State. From the famous seafood of Savannah to the unique flavors of the King of Pops in Atlanta, Hicks experiences the diverse and delicious culinary landscape of Georgia. Along the way, he also learns about the crucial historical events that shaped the state and its people, making this episode a must-watch for history buffs and foodies alike.