Ep 4. Carnival Treats

Unwrapped season 19 episode 4, titled "Carnival Treats," explores the delicious and fun-filled foods typically found at carnivals. Host Marc Summers takes viewers on a journey to discover some of the most unique and crave-worthy carnival eats in this episode.

The show starts by touring the Indiana State Fair, where Marc meets up with carnival food expert Jim Stacy, who shows him some of the most popular and unique carnival foods. Jim introduces Marc to the famous "pig on a stick," which is a battered and deep-fried pork cutlet served on a stick. Marc also samples a deep-fried PBJ, beef brisket sandwich, and the famous West Virginia delicacy, the pepperoni roll.

Moving on to the next stop, Marc heads to the world-renowned Brooklyn County Fair to explore some of the most bizarre and intriguing carnival foods. Here, he samples the "cricket crunch" - a bowl of roasted crickets, which is surprisingly tasty. He also tries the "chonut," a combination of a chorizo sausage and a donut, which is a crowd favorite.

In the next section of the episode, Marc explores the history of carnival foods and how they have evolved over the years. He talks to food historian Rachel Laudan, who reveals that carnival foods can be traced back to ancient Rome, where people used to enjoy roasted nuts and meat skewers. Marc and Rachel go on to explore how carnival foods have evolved to include modern favorites like corn dogs and funnel cakes.

Next, Marc travels to California to experience the Orange County Fair, where he meets up with some of the most original carnival food creators. Marc samples some of the most unique and delicious carnival foods here, such as the "burnt ends sandwich," which is a combination of beef brisket and pulled pork served with kettle chips. He also tries the famous "bacon-wrapped turkey leg" and the "deep-fried butter," which is exactly what it sounds like.

The last section of the episode explores the science behind carnival foods. Marc talks to food scientist Kantha Shelke to get a better understanding of how carnival foods are created and why they are so irresistible. Kantha explains that the combination of sugar, fat, and salt in carnival foods creates a sensation of pleasure in the brain, which is why people crave them so much.

In the finale of the episode, Marc returns to the Indiana State Fair to participate in the "Ultimate Carnival Eats Challenge," where he tries to eat as many carnival foods as he can in one hour. With Jim Stacy as his guide, Marc sets out to conquer as many carnival foods as possible and ends up having a blast. From the fried foods to the sweet treats, the Carnival Treats episode of Unwrapped promises to be a fun-filled ride for all foodies out there.