“Travels with Darley” Kicks Off Season 11 in Alabama

Saturday afternoon at 3:30, PBS star Darley Newman returns to Alabama for the first of two episodes all about our diverse food scene.

By Hazel McLaughlin

PBS host Darley Newman with Betsy McAtee at the Original Dreamland Bar-B-Que in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Photo courtesy of Darley Newman and Chad Davis)

APT caught up with travel host Darley Newman to talk season 11 of her PBS history and culture show, “Travels with Darley.” Newman casts a wide net in the first two episodes of the season, showcasing a diversity of Alabama chefs and entrepreneurs from across the state.

The first episode, “Alabama for Foodies: Part I,” will premiere at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 and “Part II” will air Jan. 20 at 3:30 p.m. on APT broadcast and the PBS App.

Newman has packed her Alabama itinerary with some familiar locations and soon-to-be favorites, all while sharing the stories, cultures and flavors that make Alabama so unique.

In “Part I,” Newman visits James Beard award-winning chefs, including Scott Peacock in Marion, Ala. to learn the art of Southern biscuit-making and Chris Hastings of Hot and Hot Fish Club in Birmingham to hear how he pioneered farm-to-table in the 1990s. Between the fine dining, Newman also hits classics like Rama Jama’s in Tuscaloosa and Irondale Cafe in Irondale, Ala.

“Part II” includes a Montgomery staple Chris’ Famous Hot Dogs and recognizable Mobile restaurants like Squid Ink Eclectic Eats & Drinks, The Noble South and former NFL player Bob Baumhower’s Las Floriditas.

“Being aware of a sense of place is really important,” Newman said. She hopes those watching will begin to notice not just what’s on their plate but also their surroundings.

“If you take a bite of something you're eating, if you close your eyes, if you listen to the sounds…you're imprinting a memory in your mind that will stick with you for a long time,” Newman said. “And that's what life is all about.”

In “Part II,” Newman learns Chris’ Famous Hot Dogs, a mom and pop diner, served legends like Hank Williams and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“I find that once you start to talk to someone at a location, there's a story there. You just have to figure out what it is,” she said. “You’ll enjoy the food and the experience so much more when you dig a little deeper.”

Listen to the new “Travels with Darley” podcast on your favorite podcast app to learn more about Newman’s week-long visit.

Alabama for Foodies: Part I - Preview

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