Cook's Country

Cook's Country is an engaging and enlightening food and cooking show aired on PBS in 2008 with Christopher Kimball as its host.

Cook's Country embodies the essence of everyday food and takes us on a remarkable culinary journey that reinvents our understanding and perception of food. This esteemed show is derived from the eponymous magazine, Cook's Country, under the Cook's Illustrated umbrella, published by Boston Common Press. The creators manage to echo the publication's essence on screen smoothly.

Kitchen connoisseur and food enthusiast Christopher Kimball steers Cook's Country's ship. With his lifelong experience in the culinary world and an endearing charm, Kimball effortlessly brings the show to life. Known for his expertise in gastronomy and his knack for teasing out the nuances of different dishes, Kimball shares useful tips and tricks in the kitchen, making his viewers felt welcomed and imparting a valuable cooking session.

Set against the backdrop of a renovated 1806 farmhouse located in Rupert, Vermont, the show gives off an inviting, homely vibe. This 18th-century farmhouse, with its unique character and charm, adds to the program’s appeal offering a rich, warm environment. Cook's Country oozes rustic appeal, setting a cultured aesthetic backdrop and environment for its variety of unique food preparations.

The highlight of the show is the assortment of the best American recipes it offers. Kimball and his team travel across the United States to explore the origin of different dishes and decode their secrets. They don regional specialties in their traditional ways, which they then recreate in their test kitchen. From BBQ ribs in Kansas City to creamy grits in South Carolina, and enchanting desserts from around the country, Cook's Country showcases an array of delectable regional American dishes.

With the primary intention of simplifying cooking, the show makes a conscious effort to explain the science behind the cooking process. Each episode is a combination of cooking segments, field trips, and mingling with locals to find out their food stories. Thus, Cook's Country doesn't solely focus on the end product but emphasizes the process of cooking — sourcing, preparation, cooking techniques and the people and traditions behind the food.

An integral part of the show is the concept of 'Kitchen Equipment Testing' wherein Kimball and his test cooks review kitchen gadgets, equipment, and ingredients. They test, review and give recommendations, guiding viewers to make informed decisions while purchasing these items. This segment also features 'Taste Test,' where the team conducts taste testing of supermarket ingredients so that the viewers can choose the best from the lot.

The team at Cook's Country includes talented test cooks like Bridget Lancaster and Julia Collin Davison, who regularly appear in the show. They work meticulously, test, and retest traditional as well as modern recipes until they reach what they believe is the best version of a particular dish. They also share their expertise and little hacks that make a big difference in getting the recipe right.

Far from the regular glitz and glamour of many contemporary cooking shows, Cook’s Country from PBS incorporates a sense of old-world charm and genuineness that distinguishes itself profoundly. It offers viewers a healthy mix of the history of American comfort food, the people behind it, cooking lessons sprinkled with handy tips and reviews of kitchen essentials. The recipes are comforting, the discussions engaging, and the journey, simply food-tastic!

In summary, Cook's Country, starring Christopher Kimball, is a delightful cooking show that benefits every food lover — whether you are an expert cook or a beginner. It promises not just instants of taste, but a journey across American foodscape: its lands, people, cultures, traditions, and the legacy of its food. By truly embodying the concepts of farm-to-table and one-pot meals, the show exudes simplicity without undermining the complexity of flavors. Definitely, one for the books.