Extra Virgin Americana

Extra Virgin Americana is an exciting, zestful cooking cum travel show that premiered on the Cooking Channel in 2016. The series advances the Cooking Channel's narrative of inspiring culinary enthusiasts around the globe with innovative ideas and techniques from seasoned experts, while also blending in engaging countrywide adventures.

At the crux of the series are the delightful narratives of Hollywood actress Debi Mazar, renowned celebrity chef Gabriele Corcos, and their eccentric family as they journey across America. With Italian roots and a deep love for hearty home-cooked meals, this duo takes viewers on an epicurean journey, exploring the diverse food culture of each visited region.

Every episode of Extra Virgin Americana unfolds like a diary entry from a favorite travelogue, a narrative filled with enticing details about the foods and customs of ordinary Americans, amplified with narratives on unique, traditional, and innovative recipes. The series encapsulates the exploration of local markets, hunting adventures, palate tantalizing meals, and amazing encounters with local people and culinary experts.

Across every corner of America, Debi and Gabriele, accompanied by their daughters Evelina and Giulia, drive, dive, and jive into the heart of local cuisine, featuring foods as eclectic as a farm-to-table meal in Oregon and a classic New York pizza. The family not only duels with fresh ingredients but also seeks to understand their origins and authenticity, drawing out the essence of each step involved in making the delicious final products.

Highlighted in the series is the Corcos family's exploration of numerous locations that are magnets for food lovers, such as Michigan, Los Angeles, Boston, and Tennessee. These explorations are perfectly intertwined with their Italian roots as they recreate local dishes with their unique touch, resulting in shaping a bridge between Italian and American cuisines.

Extra Virgin Americana undoubtedly draws its backbone from the stellar chemistry between Debi and Gabriele. It's their warm dynamic and genuine love of food that makes this show connect deeply with viewers. Mazar, most known for her role in the acclaimed series "Entourage," combines her acting prowess with her genuine love for food to create a special bond with viewers. On the other hand, Corcos brings his Tuscan heritage and culinary artistry to every meal he prepares, ultimately merging the simplicity of his Italian roots with the diversity of American cuisines.

The audience remains engaged throughout as the couple guides us through the meticulous, yet fun process of preparing meals and introduces us to the humble farmers, fishers, and ranchers who produce some of America's most prized ingredients. They make this an entertaining journey for food enthusiasts by uncovering the surprising secrets hidden in the heartland of America's culinary wonders.

The show's use of informal, friendly dialogue combined with brilliant camera work capturing beautiful landscapes and mouth-watering close-ups of the prepared dishes makes it a visual treat. It sparks curiosity and eagerness among the viewers about American food culture. The use of one-liners and constant witty repartees shared among the family members makes each episode light-hearted and full of joy, defining ‘food fun journey’ in its truest sense.

Extra Virgin Americana is more than just a cooking show; it's a demonstration of how food can be a catalyst for togetherness, a journey into America's heartlands, and an exploration of how traditional cuisines blend perfectly with modern techniques. It's also an endearing portrayal of family bonding through the lens of shared meals and shared adventures.

Each episode leaves viewers with not just an urge to don an apron and start experimenting in their kitchens, but also with a yearning to explore more about America's vibrant, rich food culture. The show continues to inspire home cooks and travel enthusiasts alike, while also underlining an important fact that the heart of a family’s love often resides in the kitchen. In every sense, Extra Virgin Americana is a loving toast to food, family, and the fascinating journey across America.