Ep 9. Borrowed Favorites

The Best Thing I Ever Ate season 11 episode 9, named Borrowed Favorites, features dishes that have been borrowed or inspired by other countries' cuisines. In this episode, several Food Network chefs share the dishes that they love, and have been influenced by, from other cultures.

In the first segment, Geoffrey Zakarian shares his love for a dish he discovered during a trip to Japan - the Katsudon. This dish consists of a deep-fried pork cutlet served over a bed of rice and topped with a sweet and savory sauce. Zakarian describes the dish as the perfect balance of flavors and textures.

Next up is Aarti Sequeira, who has borrowed a favorite from her Indian roots - the Tandoori Chicken Tikka. She shares how this dish is not only delicious, but also represents the bold and beautiful flavors of India. Sequeira recalls how her mother used to make this dish for special occasions, and how it continues to be a crowd favorite even today.

In the third segment, Jet Tila talks about his favorite noodle dish - the Pad See Ew from Thailand. Tila describes how the dish features wide rice noodles stir-fried with soy sauce, Chinese broccoli, and egg. He shares how this dish is the epitome of Thai cuisine, with its bold and fragrant flavors.

The fourth segment features Duff Goldman, who shares his love for the Pastrami Sandwich from New York. Goldman describes how this iconic sandwich features tender and juicy pastrami piled high on top of fresh rye bread. He shares how the flavors of the smoked meat and tangy mustard coalesce together to create a truly unforgettable taste.

The fifth segment features a dish that is close to Michael Symon's heart - the Pierogi from Poland. Symon shares how this dish has a special place in his memories, as his grandmother used to make them from scratch when he was growing up. He describes the dish as comforting and nostalgic, with its soft dough filled with savory potato and cheese.

In the final segment, Alex Guarnaschelli shares her love for the Croissant from France. She describes how this flaky and buttery pastry has become a staple in her life, and how it represents the art and sophistication of French cuisine. Guarnaschelli shares how each bite of the croissant is a journey through layers of crisp and soft textures, and how it reminds her of all the wonderful times she has spent in France.

Overall, this episode of The Best Thing I Ever Ate is a celebration of the diverse and delicious cuisines from around the world. The featured dishes are not only mouth-watering, but also showcase how food can bring people together and create lasting memories.