Unwrapped Season 6 Episode 4 Southern

Unwrapped is a food-based television show on the Food Network that explores the origins and manufacturing processes behind some of America's favorite snacks and treats. Season 6 episode 4, titled "Southern," takes viewers on a journey through the culinary traditions of the American South.

Host Marc Summers begins the episode by traveling to South Carolina to visit the headquarters of Black River Cheese Company. There, he meets with owner Randell Whitaker and learns about the company's process for making their signature pimento cheese, a staple of Southern cuisine. While touring the facility, Marc observes the blending of cheeses with pimentos, mayonnaise, and other ingredients to create the spreadable snack.

Next, Marc travels to Texas to learn about one of the most iconic Southern foods: chicken fried steak. He meets with chef Terry Chandler, owner of the Broken Spoke Cafe, who demonstrates his method for breaded and fried steak topped with gravy. Terry explains that the dish is said to have originated in Texas in the 19th century and has since become a beloved comfort food throughout the South.

Back in South Carolina, Marc visits Mount Pleasant's Sweetgrass Basket Village, where Gullah women weave traditional sweetgrass baskets. The intricate baskets are not only functional, but also serve as a symbol of African American culture in the Lowcountry region of the state.

Moving on to the state of Georgia, Marc travels to the Vidalia region to learn about the sweet onion that bears the town's name. He meets with farmer Ronald Simmons, who explains the unique soil and growing conditions that give Vidalia onions their sweetness. Marc also gets a taste of the onions in a dish prepared by chef Virginia Willis at her restaurant in Atlanta.

Continuing their exploration of Southern cuisine, the show highlights the popularity of boiled peanuts in the South. Marc samples the snack in Florida, where roadside stands sell fresh boiled peanuts in paper bags. He learns from local farmer Joe Smith about the specific variety of peanut used for boiling and discovers the snack's origins in the Civil War era.

Moving on to the dessert menu, Marc travels to North Carolina to visit the Cheerwine bottling plant. Cheerwine is a cherry-flavored soft drink that has been a favorite in the South since its invention in 1917. Marc observes the bottling process and learns about the history of the drink from CEO Cliff Ritchie.

Finally, the episode concludes in Kentucky, where Marc samples bourbon balls at the Rebecca Ruth Candy Factory. The sweets are made from a mixture of bourbon, sugar, and chocolate and are a popular Southern treat. Co-owners Rebecca and Otis were credited with inventing the treat in the 1930s and continue to produce the candies using the same recipe today.

Overall, Unwrapped Season 6 Episode 4 provides a fascinating look at the diverse and delicious cuisine of the American South. Marc Summers takes viewers on a culinary tour of the region, exploring the history and manufacturing processes behind some of its most beloved foods. Whether trying chicken fried steak in Texas or sweet onion dishes in Georgia, viewers are sure to come away with a newfound appreciation of Southern cuisine.