TED Talks: Chew On This Season 1 Episode 7 Jennifer 8. Lee Hunts for General Tso

In season 1 episode 7 of TED Talks: Chew On This, titled "Jennifer 8. Lee Hunts for General Tso," journalist and author Jennifer 8. Lee delves into the intriguing history and cultural significance of the popular Chinese dish General Tso's Chicken.

Lee begins by outlining the many variations of General Tso's Chicken found in Chinese restaurants throughout the world, each with its own unique blend of spices and ingredients. She then takes the audience on a journey through the life of the dish's namesake, General Tso Tsung-t'ang, a 19th-century military leader from China's Hunan province.

Through interviews with culinary experts, historians, and chefs, Lee seeks to uncover the origins of General Tso's Chicken, a dish that has become a quintessential part of Chinese-American cuisine. She explains how the dish evolved over time and how it went from being a regional specialty in Hunan to a beloved staple of Chinese food in the United States.

Along the way, Lee also explores the broader cultural and social significance of General Tso's Chicken. She discusses how the dish reflects changing attitudes toward Chinese cuisine and race relations in the United States, and how it has become a symbol of Chinese-American identity and hybridity.

Throughout the episode, Lee's passion for the subject matter is evident as she energetically shares her findings and engages with the audience. Her thoughtful and thought-provoking insights into the history and cultural significance of General Tso's Chicken make for a fascinating journey of discovery that will leave viewers hungry for more.