Weekends with Yankee

Weekends with Yankee is an alluring travel and lifestyle series created by PBS in 2017, inviting viewers to embark on an unforgettable journey, showcasing unique perspectives of the American Northeast region, specifically, the states widely recognized as making up New England.

Jointly produced by the editors of Yankee magazine and the vibrant team of WGBH-TV in Boston, Weekends with Yankee sweeps you off your feet and into the homes and hearts of the diverse people who live in these six quaint New England states, namely, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

The show, seamlessly crafted in the hands of award-winning public television producers and hosts Richard Wiese and Amy Traverso, presents an encompassing and engaging sight of the Northeast. Richard Wiese, an accomplished explorer and host, guides you through the magical landscapes while Amy Traverso, a senior food editor, brings you closer to the traditional New England cuisine by visiting the food artisans, local farmers, and proficient cooks who are keeping the region’s food traditions alive.

With each episode lasting around 30 minutes, the series promises to deliver a rich tapestry of experiences, introducing viewers to the remarkable individuals who make the region unique and to its abundant culture, traditional cuisine, iconic landmarks, and breathtaking scenery. From exploring stunning coastlines, serene forests, thought-provoking museums, historical places to luxury resorts, weekend getaways, and delicious seafood restaurants, Weekends with Yankee is a captivating visual treat.

Not just limited to the geographical and culinary aspects, the show further dives deep into the heart-touching stories of the local inhabitants and enthusiastic historians, who provide first-hand descriptions of their experiences and illuminating stories about the area’s history and cultural evolution. Viewers are brought closer to the daily life, traditions, and activity of New Englanders through intimate interviews conducted in their homes, workplaces, and community centers.

Weekends with Yankee also holds a special place for food lovers. New England is a region renowned for its unique culinary delights, and the show leaves no stone unturned in exploring the gastronomical aspect. Amy Traverso, with her profound knowledge of the native cuisine, introduces viewers to pan-seared scallops, clam chowder, fresh lobster bakes, blueberry pancakes, whoopie pies, and much more. The cooking segments which involve visiting farmstead cheese makers to ocean-going Maine lobstermen, all the way to the home kitchens of brilliant local cooks, make the show a gastronomical journey as much as a geographical one.

The show’s cinematography is another attractive part of its design. The visual presentation is very appealing, with every scene captured brilliantly to ensure viewers can soak in the holistic essence of New England. From sunrise-tinted autumn mornings and picturesque winter landscapes to warm summer afternoons and blooming spring meadows, every moment is beautifully captured in all its entirety. Out in the open or inside a cosy diner, artists masterfully capture the aura and aesthetic of each location, leaving the audience desirous of visiting this idyllic region.

With a combination of enriching exploration, delightful gastronomic experiences, and compelling storytelling, Weekends with Yankee isn't just a travelogue or a cooking show, it's much more than that. The element of human interest, the evocative spirit of the stories, the melting pot of heritage, traditions, and modern life, and a perfect ensemble of hosts make it feel like an intimate love letter to New England.

In summation, Weekends with Yankee gorgeously stitches together the sights, sounds, tastes, and people of a special region in the United States. Whether you are an armchair traveler, a curious cook seeking new cuisine experiences, a Nature enthusiast, history buff, or someone imbued with an adventurous spirit, Weekends with Yankee offers something for everyone. Not only does it make you familiar with the distinct beauty of the New England states, but it also brings you closer to understanding the essence and spirit of its people and their traditions. Roughly half an hour spent with every episode of this PBS series, truly feel like a cherished weekend spent in the heart of Yankee.