Ep 1. Desert Island Dish

The Best Thing I Ever Ate is a popular food show where celebrity chefs and food experts discuss their favorite dishes from different restaurants across the United States. In season 11 episode 1, titled "Desert Island Dish," the show takes a unique approach to the typical format.

The premise of the episode is simple: if the chefs were stranded on a desert island and could only have one dish for the rest of their life, what would it be? The answers are as diverse as the chefs themselves, with each dish perfectly reflecting their personal tastes and culinary experiences.

The first chef featured is Jet Tila, who is known for his expertise in Thai cuisine. He picks a classic dish that is both comforting and versatile: pad ka prao. Made with ground pork, garlic, chili peppers, and Thai basil, it's a dish that he could eat every day without ever getting bored. The next chef, Aaron Sanchez, is a fan of Mexican cuisine, and he chooses something equally classic and comforting: chiles rellenos. He describes the dish as "a hug on a plate," and you can see the love he has for it in his eyes.

Next up is Duff Goldman, a pastry chef who is known for his extravagant cakes and desserts. Unsurprisingly, his desert island dish is also a dessert: banana cream pie. He describes it as "a classic American comfort food," and talks about how it reminds him of his childhood. The next chef, Kelsey Nixon, is a self-described "Southern girl," and her desert island dish reflects that: fried chicken. She talks about the importance of crispy skin and juicy meat, and the role that her grandmother played in teaching her how to make the perfect fried chicken.

The final two chefs both have more unconventional picks for their desert island dish. First is G. Garvin, who is known for his Southern and soul food cuisine. He chooses a dish that he calls "the perfect balance": shrimp and grits. He talks about the importance of the quality of the shrimp and the texture of the grits, and how the dish can be adapted with different spices and add-ins. The last chef is Justin Warner, who is known for his experimental and avant-garde cooking style. His desert island dish is a surprise: General Tso's chicken. He talks about how it's a dish that is both comforting and exciting, and how it bridges the gap between traditional Chinese cuisine and Americanized Chinese food.

Throughout the episode, the chefs also talk about how the dishes they chose reflect their personal histories and cultural identities. They share stories about their families, their travels, and their experiences in the food industry. It's clear that all of them have a deep love and respect for food, and that the dishes they chose are more than just meals – they are a part of who they are.

Overall, season 11 episode 1 of The Best Thing I Ever Ate is a fun and engaging twist on the usual format. It's fascinating to see what these chefs would choose if they were limited to just one dish for the rest of their lives, and the variety of picks reflects the diversity of the culinary world. Whether you're a foodie or not, this episode is sure to leave you hungry for more.