The Mind of a Chef Season 2 Episode 6 Roots

In this episode of The Mind of a Chef, host David Chang explores the importance of roots in cooking. Throughout the episode, he visits various chefs and food experts to learn about the various ways in which roots are used in food traditions.

The first stop on Chang's journey is to the farm of Sean Brock, a chef and restaurateur known for his Southern cuisine. Brock shows Chang the various types of roots he uses in his dishes, including sweet potatoes, turnips, and radishes. He also explains how he uses root vegetables to make his famous vegetable puree.

Next, Chang travels to Japan to learn about the traditional use of wasabi root in Japanese cuisine. He meets with a wasabi farmer who shows him the process of growing and harvesting the root, and then visits a renowned sushi chef who demonstrates how he uses wasabi in his dishes.

In Peru, Chang learns about the use of yuca root in Peruvian cuisine. He visits a local market to see the various types of yuca available, and then meets with a chef who shows him how to make a popular Peruvian dish using yuca.

Back in the United States, Chang visits chef Alex Stupak, who specializes in Mexican cuisine. Stupak shows Chang how he uses the root of the yucca plant to make a traditional Mexican dish called churros, which is typically served for breakfast.

Finally, Chang visits with a group of chefs in New Orleans who specialize in Cajun and Creole cuisine. They show him how they use roots like celery, onions, and peppers to create the flavorful base for many of their dishes.

Throughout the episode, Chang reflects on the importance of roots in his own cooking. He explains how he uses Korean roots like ginseng and lotus root in his dishes, and how the use of roots has become a defining characteristic of his cuisine.

Overall, this episode of The Mind of a Chef provides a fascinating look at the many ways in which roots are used in different food traditions around the world, and demonstrates how they can add depth and flavor to any dish.