A cooking show that reflects immigrant traditions

“Just Flavors!” from United We Dream grows tables longer, one episode at a time

Friends, as we start to head into the holiday stretch—full of celebrations, food, drink, and joy, of course—I think it’s also important to remember that here in the U.S., not everyone’s holiday celebration looks the same. Your traditional Thanksgiving feast might have turkey, gravy, and stuffing, but someone else’s might include macaroni and cheese, collards, sweet potato pie, rice and beans…or tamales and moles…there are just so many possibilities, and so many different dishes and spices that all make a Thanksgiving table beautiful. (...or you might not celebrate Thanksgiving at all!)

It’s a perfect time to remember that we are a nation of immigrants, and the flavors and dishes that come from different immigrant communities around the country make these holidays even more special. My friend Padma Lashkmi talks about how immigrant communities have reinvented America’s taste buds in her new book Padma’s All American, and on her show “Taste the Nation.” I talk about it in the introduction to my MasterClass, because it’s part of a bigger story about how food connects us…as I always like to say, quoting the great food philosopher Brillat-Savarin: “tell me what you eat, and I will tell you who you are” … and he also wrote that “the destiny of nations depends on how they feed themselves.” Food always has the power to identify what we have in common, and that is especially true here in the U.S.

So today, with that in mind, I want to talk about an organization and a show that are committed to telling the story of immigrants in the United States. “Just Flavors!” is an award-winning online series and cooking competition produced by United We Dream, the largest youth-led immigrant organization in the U.S. And people, I think that they are just amazing. They have a network of over 400,000 members across 26 states who advocate for immigrants on both community and national levels, and they also have a library of online resources for immigrants.

A few of the amazing dishes made by the Just Flavors contestants

Just Flavors! is a fun and playful cooking competition featuring young people from many different immigrant backgrounds who make family recipes that connect with their stories. But it’s not just a cooking show…it’s also celebration of immigrant communities and the flavors, experiences, ideas, and backgrounds that make up immigrants’ identities. Each episode is a cookoff between two different contestants, judged by celebrity guest judges. Season 1, which came out in 2023, received an incredible amount of positive feedback, and they’ve just released Season 2 with new contestants and more flavors!

Juanita Monsalve, the executive producer of Just Flavors! and the creative director of United We Dream, describes the goals of the show beautifully:

“The immigrant community is vast, multi-racial, and multi-ethnic, but our recipes tie us together. From the ingredients we use to the moments that bring us to the table, every dish carries the flavor of memory and resilience. This season once again turns the kitchen into a cultural crossroads, where home cooks share dishes that represent their families’ journeys. Through friendly competition, Just Flavors! continues to define a bold and joyful identity for modern America.”

More than a competition, Just Flavors! is a cultural statement; a joyful reclamation that as immigrants and the children of immigrants, we are proud of who we are, and it’s only when we come together, whether it’s over a shared meal or on the streets, that we can harness our power and make transformative change happen.”

My team also spoke with Michelin-starred chef Anita Lo, who’s on the show’s advisory board. Anita is a first generation Chinese American and has talked about food and immigration throughout her career…she actually wrote a book called Cooking Without Borders! In her words: “I hope viewers will take from it a positive, humanizing view of immigrants and marginalized people…and also some delicious recipes! As we all continue to work towards building longer tables, there should be room enough at those tables for everyone of all identities.”

People, this is EXACTLY what I am talking about, and what I will always talk about..! I’m so proud of the amazing minds at United We Dream for creating this show, and guess what—the first few episodes of Season 2 just dropped!

You can watch them here, and let me tell you…they are going to make you hungry. With contestants who have backgrounds from Nigeria, Mexico, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and beyond, they’re sharing incredible recipes from those traditions, “Just Flavors!” echoes everything we stand for at Longer Tables. It is always important to hear from the experiences of immigrants, and to remember that food can break down cultural barriers and bring everyone together. Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to remember that our tables should always be growing…and growing…and growing.