Pati Jinich, famous for her vibrant take on Mexican cuisine and James Beard Award-winning cookbook author. She’s on the cusp of debuting her second exciting new PBS cooking series, “Pati Jinich Explores Panamerica.” The show premieres Tuesday, April 29, and runs through May 13, 2025. It’s designed to inspire viewers to go on their own exciting culinary journey all across the Americas! Jinich, an Emmy-nominated TV host with a culinary pedigree to match, is a force of nature. She’s spent her whole career exploring varied foodways and the deep narratives that intertwine cultures through cuisine.
In “Pati Jinich Explores Panamerica,” Jinich explores the stories and flavors that define the culinary landscape of the continent. Through visiting these historic and oftentimes hidden places, she reveals how these threads are woven into the fabric of everyday life. Each episode is an explosion of colorful, joyous discovery featuring wholesome, fascinating stories about food, culture and community. It features time-honored dishes paired with innovative versions influenced by her journeys and exchanges with chefs in her community and beyond.
Jinich’s exploration of food doesn’t end with her cooking television series. In addition to her work developing healthy menu options, she has appeared on platforms such as “Good Morning America” and “GMA3,” sharing a range of accessible recipes. Or she’s developed unique spins on well-known dishes. Featured menu items range from Panamericana Filipino Style Chicken Adobo to Pico de Gallo and White Rice with Fried Plantains. Each recipe is a labor of love, showcasing her passion for courting the soul of each dish.
For example, her recipe for Panamericana Filipino Style Chicken Adobo opens with marinating chicken. Adding soy sauce, rice vinegar, fresh garlic, and ginger into her marinade makes for the perfect flavorful mix. As a result, the fusion dish represents an ideal moment that exists at the intersection of culinary traditions. Her Pico de Gallo is so fresh it’ll make your taste buds explode! The bright, punchy blend of tomatoes, onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice is the ultimate topping for just about anything.
The White Rice with Fried Plantains is another dazzling recipe. It features chicken broth, paprika, and pepper to provide a deeply rich flavor base that complements just about any protein entrée perfectly.
Her culinary philosophy highlights that the best way to tell a story is through food. She often tells each dish’s story, explaining how that dish’s history and culture inspired its creation. As she stated in reference to one of the dishes featured in her new series:
“While burritos originated in the northern Mexican borderland city of Juárez, they are ubiquitous throughout the US.” – PBS’ website
Jinich’s mission—really, her obsession, as she describes it—is to showcase the complex culinary heritage of the Americas. Ingredients and recipes change when they cross borders and mix with other cultures.
Her new cookbook and television show promises to raise Americans’ culinary IQ. More than recipes, they share the cultural heritages that inspire and protect the cuisine. Jinich skillfully weaves together personal stories with her vast culinary knowledge. This rare and diverse talent makes her an intriguing leader in the food industry.
