Ep 1. Cultural Twist

In the first episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives season 31, titled Cultural Twist, host Guy Fieri takes viewers on a culinary journey across the United States to explore unique and culturally-inspired cuisine. From traditional Lebanese dishes in Los Angeles to innovative takes on classic Southern cooking in Charleston, South Carolina, Cultural Twist shines a spotlight on the diversity of American food.

The first stop on Guy's adventure is a popular eatery in Los Angeles called the Kismet Restaurant. Known for their colorful and vibrant plates, Kismet serves up a unique twist on traditional Lebanese cuisine with dishes like their famous lamb shoulder shawarma, made with locally-sourced ingredients, and their inventive Middle Eastern-inspired salads. Guy gets a behind-the-scenes look at the restaurant's unique food prep techniques and learns about the owner's passion for creating fresh and flavorful meals that honor his Lebanese heritage.

Next up on Guy's culinary tour is a family-owned restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina called the Perfectly Franks. This restaurant serves up classic Southern comfort food with a modern twist, using fresh and seasonal ingredients that reflect the flavors of the region. Guy tries their signature fried green tomato BLT and learns about the restaurant's unique approach to preparing classic Southern dishes like grits and hushpuppies.

Moving on to Tuscon, Arizona, Guy visits the quirky Crossroads Restaurant, where he meets owner and chef Doug Levy. With a focus on sustainable and locally-sourced ingredients, Crossroads offers a diverse range of dishes that are inspired by flavors from around the world. Guy tries dishes like their crispy fried chicken sandwich and their famous green chili pork stew, made with local Hatch chilies. Doug shares with Guy his passion for utilizing sustainable cooking practices and how he incorporates his own cultural background into the restaurant's diverse menu.

The final stop on Guy's journey is a one-of-a-kind restaurant in Chicago called the Garifuna Flava Caribbean Cuisine. Featuring authentic dishes from the Garifuna culture, which is a mixture of African, Caribbean, and indigenous influences, the restaurant serves up bold and flavorful dishes like the popular hudut stew and the conch soup. Guy gets a taste of the Garifuna culture with their unique blend of spices and flavors and learns about how owner and chef Yolande "Lonnie" Holmes is preserving the traditional food and culture of her heritage.

Throughout the episode, Guy highlights the importance of cultural diversity and the impact it has on American cuisine. By showcasing the unique flavors and cooking techniques of different cultures, Cultural Twist celebrates the power of food to bring people together and create a sense of community. With mouth-watering dishes and colorful personalities, this episode is the perfect kickoff to season 31 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.