State Plate (2016)

Entertainer Taylor Hicks tastes his way across Hawaii in search of the island’s most iconic foods. First, Taylor hits the beach and fries up some spam for a local surfer snack. Next, he learns to slow smoke pork, the Hawaiian way. Then, he does the hula to harvest taro root, the main ingredient in Poi. Later, Taylor learns the art of planting pineapples. Finally, he learns how to scale the tree of life to make a much-loved sweet coconut dessert: Haupia. It’s a heaping helping of aloha as we taste the Paradise of the Pacific’s most celebrated foods. Hawaii Say “Hello” to some tasty treats from The Aloha State. Appetizer: Spam Musubi Entrée: Kalua Pig Side 1: Poi Side 2: Pineapple Dessert: Haupia

Entertainer Taylor Hicks tastes his way across South Carolina, in search of the state’s most iconic foods. First, he sings for his supper, simmering up some she-crab soup. Next, Taylor heads to the coast, for the locally loved, Low Country boil. Then, he learns how to harvest and bundle some hearty collard greens. Later, Taylor tastes tea with an expert and gets a history lesson on the southern staple. Finally, for dessert, he bakes up a crunchy sesame cookie, called a Benne wafer. It’s a heaping helping of community and comfort, as we taste the Palmetto State’s most celebrated foods. South Carolina Get ready to chow down southern-style in The Palmetto State. Appetizer: She Crab Soup Entrée: Low Country Shrimp Boil Side 1: Collard Greens Side 2: Sweet Tea Dessert: Benne Wafer

Entertainer Taylor Hicks tastes his way across West Virginia, in search of the state’s most iconic foods. First, he rolls in before dawn to roll out some tasty pepperoni rolls. Next, Taylor visits a hatchery where the native brook trout is raised and released. Then, he scavenges the countryside for the wild and spicy, onion-like ramp. Later, Taylor puts some muscle into churning raw milk into tangy buttermilk biscuits. Finally, he bakes a dumpling from the state fruit: a Golden Delicious apple. It’s a heaping helping of wild, wonderful West Virginia, as we taste the Mountain State’s most celebrated foods. West Virginia Heap your plate high with good food in The Mountain State. Appetizer: Pepperoni Rolls Entrée: Brook Trout Side 1: Ramps & Onions Side 2: Buttermilk Biscuits & Gravy Dessert: Apple Dumplings

Entertainer Taylor Hicks tastes his way across Virginia, in search of the state’s most iconic foods. First, he learns the art of growing the perfect peanut. Then, Taylor fishes for sugar toads, Virginia’s puffiest fish. Next, he learns how to cure a Virginia ham, using simple salt and pepper. Later, Taylor weighs-in on the biggest flounder caught at a long-running tournament. Finally, he learns the origins of the cocoa bean and brews up a rich cup of hot chocolate, Colonial Williamsburg-style. It’s a heaping helping of country heritage and tradition, as we taste the Old Dominion State’s most celebrated foods. Virginia You’ll eat like royalty in The Old Dominion State. Appetizer: Peanut Soup Entrée 1: Baked Flounder Entrée 2: Virginia Country Ham Entrée 3: Sugar Toads Dessert: Colonial Hot Chocolate

Entertainer Taylor Hicks tastes his way across Delaware, in search of the state’s most iconic foods. First, he takes a low ride to plant a field of watermelons. Next, Taylor visits Delaware State University to herd a brood of chickens. Then, he tastes-tests lots of lima beans to judge the most-favored, baby Lima. Later, Taylor visits Rehoboth Beach and fries up a beach-bum favorite: Boardwalk fries. Finally, he learns the tedious task of thinning peach trees and tastes a crumbly peach pie. It’s a heaping helping of a Delaware, as we taste The First State’s most celebrated foods. Delaware You’ll think the food is Number One in The First State. Appetizer: Watermelon Entrée: Slippery Chicken Dumplings Side 1: Lima Beans Side 2: Vinegar French Fries Dessert: Peach Crisp

Entertainer Taylor Hicks tastes his way across Tennessee, in search of the state’s most iconic foods. First, he visits a national treasure: Prince’s Chicken Shack in Nashville, to taste Hot Chicken. Next, Taylor travels to The Rendezvous to chow down on some Memphis-style BBQ. Then, he indulges in farm fresh bacon-wrapped snap beans. Later, Taylor cooks up some classic country cornbread over an open fire and finally, he whips up a dish of traditional, creamy banana pudding. It’s a heaping helping of classic country cuisine, with a hint of spice, as we taste the Volunteer State’s most celebrated foods. Tennessee You’ll be the first to raise your hand and taste the good eats in The Volunteer State. Appetizer: Nashville Hot Chicken Wings Entrée: Memphis Dry Rub BBQ Ribs Side 1: Cornbread Side 2: Salted Pork Green Beans Dessert: Banana Pudding

Entertainer Taylor Hicks tastes his way across Arkansas, in search of the state’s most iconic foods. First, he learns the art of making the perfect pot of cheese dip and then hops inside a crop duster to farm long-grain rice from the air. Next, he visits with locals to enjoy slices of fried pickles from a top-secret original recipe. Later, Taylor visits Hot Springs to try the locally loved corned beef sandwich and finally, he discovers the possum in possum pie. It’s a heaping helping of the Ozarks, as we taste the Natural State’s most celebrated foods. Arkansas Food gets real in The Natural State. Appetizer: Cheese Dip Entrée: Corned Beef Sandwich Side 1: Rice with Gravy Side 2: Fried Pickles Dessert: Possum Pie

Entertainer Taylor Hicks tastes his way across Oklahoma, in search of the state’s most iconic foods. First, he goes on the hunt for fried rattlesnake in the high plains and then rounds up a plateful of chicken fried steak by Oklahoma City’s main cattle yards. Next, he leaves the fryer behind to help create some healthy sautéed summer squash before coming back to learn how the locals prepare fried okra. Finally, Taylor discovers the secrets of cooking up fried pie. It’s a heaping helping of classic fried cuisine from the Red River country, as we taste Oklahoma’s most celebrated foods. Oklahoma Chow is so good in The Sooner State, you won’t be able to wait for the dinner bell to ring. Appetizer: Fried Rattlesnake Entrée: Chicken Fried Steak Side 1: Smashed Okra Side 2: Summer Squash Dessert: Fried Pie with Strawberry Filling

Entertainer Taylor Hicks tastes his way across Kansas, in search of the state’s most iconic foods. First, he hits the drive-through to order up some German bierocks, a meat and pastry snack. Then, he learns the fine art of burnt ends, Kansas City barbecue-style, before getting a lesson in harvesting wheat by hand to bake a zweibach bread roll. Later, Taylor whips up some creamed spinach and finally he helps construct a delicate sour cream and raisin pie. It’s a heaping helping of classic cuisine from across the Great Plains, as we taste Kansas’ most celebrated foods. Kansas The Sunflower State is also known as The Breadbasket State, so get ready for a hearty meal! Appetizer: Bierocks Entrée: Kansas City BBQ Side 1: Kansas Zwiebach Side 2: Creamed Spinach Dessert: Sour Cream & Raisin Pie

Entertainer Taylor Hicks tastes his way across Michigan, in search of the state’s most iconic foods. First, he harvests tart cherries to eat them with brie and then learns about the Native American traditions in preparing wild rice. Next, he plants celery before preparing it in a fresh salad and partakes in a lakeside fish boil to taste the local whitefish. Finally, Taylor gets a lesson in Polish culture as he discovers what goes into the dessert called paczki. It’s a heaping helping of imported and local cuisine from the Great Lakes region as we taste Michigan’s most celebrated foods. Michigan What’s so great about The Great Lakes State? Great food! Appetizer: Cherries Entrée: Lake Whitefish Side 1: Wild Rice Side 2: Celery Salad Dessert: Paczki

Entertainer Taylor Hicks tastes his way across Indiana, in search of the state’s most iconic foods. First, he visits a county fair to eat a traditional corn dog and then has a fine dining experience preparing and tasting delicious, grilled duck breast. Next, he roasts up some classic sweet corn and discovers a farmer’s market that offers old-fashioned, tasty stewed tomatoes. Finally, Taylor follows the dessert trail and makes a stop at a local diner to indulge in their sugar cream pie. It’s a heaping helping of timeless mid-western cuisine, as we taste the Hoosier State’s most celebrated foods. Indiana Eat hearty in the heartland…hightail it to The Hoosier State. Appetizer: Corn Dog Entrée: Duck Side 1: Stewed Tomatoes Side 2: Roasted Corn on the Cob Dessert: Sugar Cream Pie

Taylor heads to water-rich Idaho and its 100,000 miles of rivers and streams. The adventure begins on a fish farm, where Taylor discovers America’s finest caviar and savors an appetizer of these “black pearls” on a blini with sour cream. Next, he helps harvest The Gem State’s most famous export, the potato, and digs into a comforting side dish of a russet baked spud with all the toppings. Then it’s a little bite of Heaven with a Basque heritage, chicken croquetas, crispy and fried to perfection. For his entrée, Taylor saddles up to relocate some cattle to fresh grass, and then settles down to the locally loved Black Angus finger steaks. Finally, dessert is deceptively delicious: the Idaho ice cream potato, topped with cocoa and whipped cream. What’s better than bling in The Gem State? Food! Lots of food! Appetizer: Caviar Blinis Entrée: Finger Steaks Side 1: Baked Potato Side 2: Croquetas Dessert: Ice Cream Potato

Entertainer Taylor Hicks tastes his way across Utah, in search of the state’s most iconic foods. First, he visits a salt mine to dig up the vital ingredient for salt-encrusted beef and then learns how to make a family-friendly plate of funeral potatoes. Next, he tastes his way through a traditional Jello salad cook-off and finds out what makes the perfect fry sauce. Finally, Taylor gets a lesson in drying out tart cherries before blending them into a savory dessert. It’s a heaping helping of family traditions and old-fashioned sides, as we taste Utah’s most celebrated and delicious foods. Utah What’s the latest foodie buzz? A tasty meal awaits you in The Beehive State. Entrée: Salt-crusted Beef Tenderloin Side 1: Funeral Potatoes Side 2: Lime JELL-O ® Salad Side 3: Fry Sauce Dessert: Dried Cherry Blondies

Entertainer Taylor Hicks tastes his way across the wide open spaces of Wyoming, in search of the state’s most iconic foods. First, he explores the preparation of bison jerky and then plates up a generous serving of lean and tender elk fillet. Next, he helps bake some quick-rising, traditional soda bread and sits around a campfire to cook up a bowl of beans cowboy style. Finally, Taylor continues the cowboy way in learning how to put together the nutritious and legendary cowboy cookie. It’s a heaping helping of traditional and modern cuisine, as we taste Wyoming’s most celebrated foods. Wyoming Say “Howdy” to some good eats in The Cowboy State. Appetizer: Bison Jerky Entrée: Elk Filet Side 1: Ranch Beans Side 2: Soda Bread Dessert: Cowboy Cookies