The New Mexico food community is fired up about a film that explores the history and cultural significance of the state’s culinary practices, and it airs tonight on PBS. Docufilms and the Museum of New Mexico Foundation bring us Eating History: A Taste of New Mexico, an hour-long documentary that has already stirred up some buzz and won awards at film festivals around the globe. Directed by Zac Cornfield and filmed last July, the documentary uncovers the stories behind the techniques, recipes and ingredients that go into the cuisine that has been putting New Mexico on the world’s food map for centuries. Eating History: A Taste of New Mexico premiers 7 p.m. Feb. 6 on NMPBS and all of its streaming platforms.
“Eating History celebrates the rich tapestry of cultures that have blended over time to create New Mexico’s exceptional culinary landscape. From Native American traditions to Spanish influences and Mexican flavors, discover the melting pot of flavors that define the state’s food culture,” the filmmakers say.
The film provides audiences with unique perspectives from food experts such as chef and author Johnny Vollersten, Billy Garrett from the New Mexico History Museum in Santa Fe, Antonio Manzanares of Shepard’s Lamb — the only producers of certified-organic lamb in the state — and Anna Farrier from Cooking With Kids, who empowers New Mexico families to make healthy food choices through nutrition education. Hear stories from folks who know their way around the kitchen and the classroom such as chef Kathleen Crook at Market Street Steakhouse in Santa Fe and Lois Ellen Frank who is a chef, educator, photographer and food historian with Red Mesa Cuisine.
Eating History already won awards in 2024 at festivals, such as the Bangkok Movie Awards and the Rome International Movie Awards, and is featured as an official selection this year at the International New York Film Festival, the Barcelona Indie Awards and Albuquerque’s own Mindfield Film Festival.
“A captivating documentary delving into New Mexico’s intricate relationship with food, showcasing how it has influenced and defined the diverse cultures that contribute to its unique culinary identity. Through engaging storytelling and historical insights, the film sheds light on the flavors, traditions, and stories that have shaped our state’s gastronomic heritage,” the filmmakers say.
Eating History is available to stream at pbs.org and the free PBS App.
You can watch the trailer here.
Eating History: A Taste of New Mexico
Feb. 6, 7 p.m.
NMPBS