Gem

Chef and author Jackie Kai Ellis explores Canadian Chop Suey cuisine and chronicles the Chinese Canadian experience through the lens of small-town Asian food joints and the families that run them.

In this first episode, Jackie learns more about the origins of “westernized” menus. A new wave of Chinese-Canadian chefs are proud to cook what they love and have traditional food back on the menu.

In Chinese culture we say “I love you” through food. Here, Jackie tries to answer the age old question, how did food come to be synonymous with love in Asian culture?

When you’re far from home, you miss food. Jackie visits Kelowna to learn about the lengths homesick people will go to eat food that reminds them of home.

In Red Deer, Jackie explores how different cultures have embraced Chinese cuisine during the holidays and how these new traditions revolve around Asian food.

Jackie learns about the biggest celebration in the Asian calendar - Lunar New Year. Cream cheese wontons, hair moss soup, and handmade dumplings are on the menu.