The Food That Built America
Overview
Exploring the compelling tales of the families who shaped America's culinary landscape, this series delves into the relentless determination and ingenuity that fueled their success. These pioneers, driven by passion and perseverance, not only transformed the nation’s dining experience but also played pivotal roles in technological advancements and wartime efforts. Through their stories, viewers gain insight into how these influential figures and their innovations became integral to America's identity, all while satisfying a nation’s appetite for progress.
Episodes
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1
Lines in the Sand
Following the Civil War, a transformative revolution emerges driven by pioneering industrialists such as Heinz, Kellogg, and Post. These innovative le...
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2
Best Served Cold
As the 20th Century unfolds, a wave of innovators emerges, eager to transform American industry and explore new technological frontiers. Visionary Mi...
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3
The Spoils of War
Amidst the Great Depression, leading food industry figures strive to innovate and nourish a famished populace. The onset of WWII prompts rival industr...
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1
Pizza Wars
Set in the 1950s, two siblings from Wichita, Kansas, embark on a journey to establish their eatery, Pizza Hut, bringing the beloved Italian dish of pi...
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2
The Chocolate Rush
In the year 1919, Milton Hershey reigns supreme in the chocolate industry, but a shift occurs as sugar prices plummet in the aftermath of World War I...
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3
The Kings of Burgers
In the 1950s, Ray Kroc expands McDonald's across the country, sparking a fast-food revolution that attracts numerous aspiring business owners. Among t...
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4
American Cheese
As the 1900s dawn, James Kraft sets out to revolutionize cheese production, defying long-established methods and transforming the dairy sector with h...
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5
Cola Wars
During the 1970s, a leading cola company initiates a blind taste test campaign targeting its primary rival. As the competition intensifies, both bran...
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6
Chip Dynasties
Herman Lay transforms a local chip enterprise into a national sensation, utilizing groundbreaking sales strategies and revolutionary packaging innova...
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7
Cookie Wars
When a collaboration takes a disastrous turn, Adolphus Green finds himself on a journey to establish a legendary cookie and cracker brand. His innovat...
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8
Soup Wars
Delve into the intriguing narratives of the families whose culinary creations shaped America. These pioneers harnessed intellect, strength, and relen...
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9
Godfathers of Fast Food
A talented short order chef creates the hamburger bun and develops an innovative method to prepare burgers more efficiently than ever. Meanwhile, Nat...
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10
The TV Dinner
Gilbert Swanson takes over his late father's frozen turkey business and teams up with a food scientist to create a groundbreaking meal that can be co...
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11
Ice Cream Empires
A young lad stumbles upon a delightful frozen confection on a stick, leading him to introduce a beloved classic to the masses as he matures. Meanwhil...
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12
A Game of Chicken
Set in the 1970s, Ray Kroc finds himself in a strong position against his rivals until a competing burger chain lures away his third-highest executiv...
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13
When the Chips Are Down
In the 1950s, C.E. Doolin and Herman Lay set out to demonstrate the untapped possibilities of the chip industry. Their achievements catch the attentio...
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14
The Rise of a Rival
After being betrayed by a cola salesman, Charles Guth, the president of a candy company, resolves to acquire a struggling rival firm. He aims to take...
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15
Gum Slingers
William Wrigley discovers an innovative product that has the potential to transform multiple sectors, igniting a fierce rivalry that will last a life...
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16
Breakfast Barons
Dr. John Kellogg and his brother ignite a breakfast revolution, creating a new culinary landscape, while competitor C.W. Post sets his sights on buil...
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1
Submarine Warfare
A group of high school buddies discovers a delicious alternative to typical fast food: the submarine sandwich. However, their excitement is soon chall...
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2
A Cold One
During the late 19th century, German newcomers Joseph Schlitz and Captain Frederick Pabst engage in a fierce rivalry to establish their beer empires....
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3
Do or Donut
A commercial caterer discovers that his top-selling products are donuts and coffee, prompting him to team up with his brother-in-law to establish an ...
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4
A Dish Best Served... Soft
After his ice cream truck unexpectedly stalls, Tom Carvel stumbles upon a surprising trend: customers can't get enough of the half-melted ice cream. E...
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5
The Best Thing Since...
In an effort to take over the expanding commercial bread market, Lee Marshall places his bets on a novel type of white loaf. This unexpected move spar...
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6
Cookie Fortunes
In "Cookie Fortunes," Hollywood agent Wally Amos takes a bold step in his career by creating and marketing his own gourmet chocolate chip cookies, lea...
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7
The Beef is On
In 1964, Colonel Sanders decides to sell his chicken empire to a group of investors. Among the team, they discover a promising talent named Dave Thoma...
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8
Pop Stars
Orville Redenbacher, a farmer from a quaint small town, has always aspired to craft the ultimate popcorn kernel. His relentless pursuit culminates in...
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9
Beyond the Burger
Glen Bell, a passionate restaurateur, embarks on a quest to develop a burger substitute for the fast-food scene. After facing numerous challenges, he ...
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10
Chain Reaction
Rocky Aoki, a retired wrestling star, teams up with a charismatic fragrance vendor to spark a dining revolution in New York City. They each launch th...
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11
Let Them Eat Snack Cakes
Following her husband's passing, Martha Entenmann steps up to lead the family baking business, transforming it into a formidable national brand. Meanw...
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12
Pasta Party
In 1924, Hector and Mario Boiardi launch an Italian eatery in Cleveland, bringing authentic Italian cuisine to American diners. As their restaurant g...
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1
Breakfast That Pops
In a fierce contest for breakfast supremacy, two major cereal brands clash when one company swipes a brilliant idea from the other. This rivalry ignit...
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2
Holiday Treats
The peak seasons for candy sales are centered around Halloween, Valentine's Day, and Easter. This surge in sweet treats can be traced back to a handfu...
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3
Flight of the Buffalo Wing
Once regarded as a lesser cut of meat, chicken wings transformed into a beloved staple of Sunday football gatherings. This change began with two innov...
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4
Candy Revolution
A daring cereal executive proposes an innovative plan to fund the production of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," sparking a transformative can...
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5
Clash of the Coffee
By the 1960s, the coffee industry faces a decline in both quality and popularity, prompting a group of innovative thinkers to revolutionize it. Initi...
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6
The Chicken Coup
A passionate diner proprietor in Georgia accidentally enters the chicken industry when he crafts a one-of-a-kind fried chicken sandwich from some disc...
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7
When Food Freezes Over
In this exciting episode, four daring food innovators compete to leverage cutting-edge technologies such as the home freezer and microwave. Their mis...
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8
Thanksgiving Dinner
This episode explores the evolution of classic Thanksgiving dishes that emerged thanks to innovative brands leveraging technology. From the transform...
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9
Peanut Butter Battle
An ambitious entrepreneur invents a long-lasting peanut butter in his garage, sparking the creation of a legendary sandwich. As the race intensifies ...
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10
American Spirits
In the aftermath of Prohibition, two ambitious business partners take a daring leap by investing their last resources into two distinct spirits: a har...
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11
Where There's Smoke
A hundred years ago, the basic tools for backyard grilling were largely nonexistent. Visionaries like Henry Ford, the inventive Kingsford, and a dedi...
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12
Thirst Quenchers
Long before juice became a staple, a group of creative pioneers harnessed their inventive spirit to develop some of the most iconic thirst-quenching b...
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13
Supermarket Sweep
In the early 1900s, visionary grocer Bernard Kroger joins forces with a fellow entrepreneur to introduce groundbreaking concepts that revolutionize th...
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14
Bring Home the Bacon
Ambitious entrepreneur Oscar® Mayer establishes a legendary meat brand that gains global recognition. Meanwhile, visionary Jay Hormel develops a revo...
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15
Dog Eat Dog
In an era where dog food is scarce and cat food is nearly unheard of, enterprising innovators emerge to revolutionize the pet food landscape. They em...
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16
Beer Run
In an era when American beer is largely characterized by a singular lager tradition, an innovative brewery in Milwaukee takes a bold step to explore ...
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1
All American Marinara
Picture a time when marinara sauce was absent from American cuisine. This was reality nearly sixty years ago, until the food giant Campbells embarked ...
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2
Ice Cream Revolution
A former cab driver embarks on a journey to revolutionize the ice cream industry by blending popular candy brands into premium ice cream, crafting inn...
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3
Soda Rising: Birth of Pop
In the late 19th century, two pharmacists, separated by 1500 miles, embark on a competition to develop wholesome, alcohol-free drink alternatives. The...
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4
Sunshine in a Glass
During World War II, a scientist joins forces with a businessman to create a Vitamin C-packed ration for soldiers, inadvertently paving the way for t...
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5
Let Them Bake Cake
Set in the mid-20th century, an unexpected rivalry emerges between two diverse personalities aiming to make life easier for homemakers nationwide. The...
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6
Penny Candy Craze
In the early 20th century, a little-known candy maker invents the Tootsie Roll, the first-ever wrapped penny candy. At the same time, a jobless salesm...
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7
Champions of Breakfast
Will Kellogg has established his reign in the cereal market after triumphing over Post. However, his dominance faces a formidable challenge from a ris...
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8
Planet Mars
Following his ousting from the family business by his father, Forrest Mars fights tirelessly to establish his own global empire, Mars Inc. Through det...
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9
Lunchbox Legends
For kids, lunchtime has always been a highlight of the day. However, prior to the 1960s, it was merely a routine meal. That all changed when three in...
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10
The Colonel
Harland Sanders, a gas station proprietor in Kentucky, invents a groundbreaking technique for frying chicken that quickly attracts a steady stream of ...
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11
Citrus Soda Stars
In St. Louis, a local soda entrepreneur named Charles Leiper Grigg challenges the dominance of Coke and Pepsi with his innovative creation, a refreshi...
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12
Burger Empire: The Ray Kroc Story
Set in the 1950s, Ray Kroc, a struggling salesman burdened by financial woes, discovers a simple roadside burger joint that sparks his ambition. Capt...
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1
Tortilla Takeover
Daring entrepreneurs embark on an ambitious journey to introduce authentic Mexican cuisine to every American household. They achieve this by developi...
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2
Movie Theatre Munchies
A down-on-his-luck chocolatier teams up with an aspiring theater aide to transform the movie-going experience. Together, they innovate the concession...
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3
Baking Chocolate Chip History
A former educator transitions into the culinary world and creates the nation’s favorite cookie, sparking a rivalry among major food corporations. Th...
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4
Empire of Convenience
The inception of the first convenience store marks a revolutionary shift in retail. With groundbreaking features such as extended hours, grab-and-go c...
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5
Legends of the Mall
In the early days of American malls, food courts were virtually nonexistent. That is, until a cinnamon roll, a pretzel, and a panda join forces, givi...
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6
Coffee: A Brewed Awakening
Jim Folger stumbles upon an innovative method to make coffee accessible to everyone. Shortly after, a renowned coffee brand seizes an opportunity at ...
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7
A Box of Chocolates
Stephen Whitman brings chocolate candy to the forefront of American culture with his sampler box, while Russell Stover establishes a rival company. To...
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8
Beer Necessities
A German immigrant seizes the opportunity to transform a failing brewery into a powerhouse in the American beer market. With his innovative approach a...
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9
Asian Food Invasion
A struggling Japanese entrepreneur teams up with a Chinese immigrant and her child to transform American cuisine. Together, they launch a series of in...
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10
You Don't Know Jack
Jack Daniel, celebrated for his relentless drive and creativity, joins forces with a talented distiller to develop a groundbreaking whiskey recipe tha...
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1
Pizza Power Play
As two dominant pizza giants work to grow their empires, a new competitor enters the scene, sparking a fierce three-way battle for supremacy in the ra...
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2
Cereal Killers
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3
The Birth of Bubblegum
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4
Drive-Thru Burger Revolution
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5
Chocolate in a Glass
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6
Clash of the Cookie Giants
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7
Cheesecake Chronicles
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8
Rice to Riches
