Watch Holy & Hungry

Holy & Hungry was a television show that aired on Cooking Channel in 2014. The series had eight episodes and was hosted by Sherri Shepherd, a comedian and actress. The show was all about exploring the food culture of different religious communities across America. Shepherd traveled to different cities across the country to meet with people from different faiths and learn about their culinary traditions and culture.

The show began its journey in Los Angeles, where Shepherd met with members of the Sikh community. She visited a local temple to learn about the Sikh religion and culture, and she was introduced to langar – the communal kitchen where Sikh volunteers prepare free meals for anyone who visits the temple. Shepherd was impressed by the concept of langar and helped to prepare and serve food to the visitors. She also visited local Sikh restaurants and tasted some traditional dishes like chicken tikka masala and aloo gobi.

The second episode focused on the food culture of the Greek Orthodox community in Astoria, New York. Shepherd visited a Greek Orthodox church and was introduced to some traditional Greek dishes like spanakopita, souvlaki, and pastitsio. She also learned about the religious significance of some of these dishes and how they are prepared for religious events like Easter. Shepherd also got to experience the warm hospitality and sense of community that is an integral part of Greek culture.

The third episode was all about the Indian-American community in Los Angeles. Shepherd visited a Jain temple and learned about the strict dietary restrictions that Jains follow. She also visited a vegetarian restaurant and tasted some delicious Indian street food like chaat and vada pav. Shepherd also visited a Sikh grocery store where she learned about the different kinds of authentic Indian spices and ingredients.

The fourth episode took Shepherd to Milwaukee, where she learned about the Jewish food culture. Shepherd visited a kosher bakery and learned about the strict dietary laws that Jews follow. She also visited a Jewish deli and tasted some traditional Jewish dishes like brisket and latkes. Shepherd also learned about the significance of the Sabbath meal and how it is prepared in Jewish homes.

The fifth episode focused on the Nigerian-American community in Houston, Texas. Shepherd visited a Nigerian restaurant and tasted some traditional dishes like jollof rice and egusi soup. She also learned about the different types of Nigerian cuisine and how it differs from region to region. Shepherd also visited a Nigerian church and learned about the importance of the communal meal after the Sunday service.

The sixth episode took Shepherd to San Francisco, where she learned about the Vietnamese Buddhist food culture. Shepherd visited a Buddhist temple and learned about the vegetarian diet that Buddhists follow. She also visited a Vietnamese restaurant and tasted some traditional dishes like pho and banh mi. Shepherd also learned about the significance of vegetarianism in Buddhism and how it relates to the concept of karma.

The seventh episode focused on the food culture of the Muslim community in Dearborn, Michigan. Shepherd visited a mosque and learned about the significance of Ramadan and how Muslims fast during this holy month. She also visited a Lebanese restaurant and tasted some traditional dishes like shawarma and tabbouleh. Shepherd also learned about the importance of halal food in the Muslim diet and how it is prepared.

The final episode of Holy & Hungry took Shepherd to New York City, where she explored the food culture of the Hasidic Jewish community. Shepherd visited a Hasidic bakery and learned about the intricacies of preparing traditional Jewish baked goods like challah. She also visited a Hasidic restaurant and tasted some traditional dishes like gefilte fish and matzo ball soup. Shepherd also learned about the importance of Shabbat and how it is observed in the Hasidic community.

Overall, Holy & Hungry was a fascinating and informative show that provided a unique insight into the food culture of different religious communities in America. Sherri Shepherd was a fun and engaging host who brought a sense of humor and warmth to the show. The series showcased not just the different types of food but also the religious traditions, cultural values, and sense of community that are so integral to these food cultures. Holy & Hungry was a must-watch for anyone interested in food, culture, and religion.

Holy & Hungry is a series that ran for 1 seasons (7 episodes) between August 23, 2015 and on Cooking Channel