Returning Thursday, May 21 at 8PM

Garden Party, Alabama Public Television’s original lifestyle series, returns with four new episodes. We’re celebrating summertime abundance in the garden, in the kitchen and on the road with sights and flavors you can only get in Alabama.

“I’m so excited for everyone who’s a fan of Garden Party to see more of the state,” Garden Party Producer/Director Jess Lingle said. “We’re going to get really into the Alabama specialties this season…with Alabama experts. Every recipe in this half of the season is one of my favorite recipes we’ve done so far.”

The summertime episodes begin in North Alabama. Host Trace Barnett leaves the homestead to visit Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur, Alabama.

Founded in 1925, Big Bob Gibson is widely recognized as one of the oldest and most prestigious barbecue establishments in the world, according to their website, and as the originators of the iconic Alabama white barbecue sauce. Trace learns about their award-winning sauces and staples, like hickory-smoked pork and chicken.

Later in the season, Garden Party goes south to the seafood capital of Alabama, Bayou La Batre, to meet shrimp farmers on their home “surf” before ferrying across the bay to Gulf Shores. While there, Trace checks out a locally owned favorite, award-winning De Soto’s Seafood Kitchen, and learns to cook fish with the pros.

But it wouldn’t be summer in Alabama without tomatoes. Trace shows us his favorite way to prepare a good ole tomato sandwich, from garden to table, before driving up to Mentone, Alabama, beloved mountain town and home of Wildflower Cafe’s famous tomato pie.

“Summer is the ultimate Garden Party season, so there’s going to be something for everyone to enjoy and celebrate in this next batch of episodes!” Lingle said.

Garden Party Summer Episode Guide

Watch new Garden Party season 4 episodes starting Thursday, May 21 at 8 p.m. on APT broadcast, livestream, PBS.org and the PBS app , and repeats on Saturdays at 1:30 p.m.

Episode 5: “Alabama BBQ Sauce Guide” – May 21
Trace takes us on a “saucy tour” across Alabama through its iconic BBQ sauces, from Mustard Sauce to Alabama White Sauce with Bib Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur.

Episode 6: “Garden Abundance” – May 28
The garden is in full swing! Trace Barnett takes you on a tour of his garden and shares recipes to help you use up that abundance of zucchini, fruit, or whatever you just bought too much of at the farmer’s market.

Episode 7: “ Gulf Coast Specialties” – June 4
Trace Barnett visits the seafood capital of Alabama, Bayou La Batre, and local favorite De Soto’s Seafood Kitchen in Gulf Shores to learn how to cook fish with the pros.

Episode 8: “Make the Most of Tomato Season” – June 11
It wouldn’t be an Alabama summer without tomatoes. Trace Barnett fries up his Fried Green Tomato Stacks and visits Wildflower Cafe in Mentone to try their famous tomato pie.