People living in North America are familiar with classic Americanized Chinese cooking: Ginger pork, egg drop soup, and fried rice are mainstays of the North American diet. While many of us enjoy Chinese takeout on a busy evening or a night out with friends, few think about the history of that food or the people who created the signature dishes we’ve all had at least once in one form or another.
Spurred by a desire to reconnect with her cultural heritage, Jackie Kai Ellis leads us deep into the Chinese diaspora in Canada. Jackie travels across Canada by rail, introducing us to a number of small towns and the many Chinese-Canadian business owners that reside in them. Not only do the owners and operators of Chinese restaurants tell their stories and experiences, but we also hear from award-winning chefs, professional vintners, and community leaders, making this food infotainment series incredibly well-rounded.
There are not any notable weaknesses to this series. Each twenty-two-minute segment of House Special is filled with distinctly Canadian charm that many viewers will immediately enjoy. The first season of this series takes place in British Columbia and Alberta. Hopefully, further seasons of House Special will complete the trek across the country to Newfoundland. If your patrons enjoy series about travel, cooking, and Asian culture, they will enjoy the exploration of the Chinese diaspora in Canada immensely. Using food as a touchstone, Jackie Kai Ellis looks at History -local, national, and international-, business, culture, and recent politics.
Representatives of Stop Asian Hate make several appearances throughout the series and discuss the rise in hate crimes against the Asian community since 2020 as well as activities and initiatives the group has initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jackie also includes a number of home-cooked recipes merging Chinese cooking with local ingredients like nectarines and apples. Those seeking a multi-faceted show about food, culture, or Canadian history will want to see House Special. Highly Recommended.
Where does this title belong on public library shelves?
House Special is an obvious choice for food programming shelves, but it would also fit in history or cultural sections.
What kind of college professor could use this title?
Culinary teachers looking for video resources about the cooking of the Chinese diaspora in America will find this series very useful.
What is the retail price and/or Public Performance License fee?
$310 + shipping