Season Six takes Pati to one of the most traveled and talked about regions in all of Mexico, the vibrant and beautiful state of Oaxaca. Oaxaca is known as one of Mexico’s top culinary destinations, and Pati is going on an in-depth tour, tasting everything from chocolates to cheeses, to moles and mezcal, and exploring the very best of what Oaxaca has to offer. Back in her home kitchen, those adventures become the inspiration for simple, family-friendly recipes to delight her friends and, of course, her three growing boys who always show up in the kitchen hungry.
Episode 1
One Day in Oaxaca
Sep 9, 2017
Pati shows how to get the most out of one day in the city of Oaxaca. In 24 hours, she takes in the top sights, meets up with a local guide, goes to the market for lunch, and gives viewers a taste of the vibrant restaurant scene in one of the top culinary destinations in all of Mexico. In her kitchen, she recreates some of the things she had at the market and gives them some new uses.
Episode 2
History of Oaxaca Cuisine
Sep 16, 2017
Pati takes us on a deep dive into the history of Oaxaca cuisine from pre-Hispanic origins, to the introduction of Spanish techniques, and finally modern day movements. She starts by tasting ancestral recipes at the local market. Then, she meets up with a friend and historian who takes her to a restaurant, where they eat traditional Oaxaca recipes with a modern twist.
Episode 3
A Queen in the Land of the Gods
Sep 23, 2017
Pati travels to the small town of Teotitlan de Valle to meet with one of the best cooks in Oaxaca, Abigail Mendoza. Abigail is opening her home to show Pati her dedication to preserving the pre-Hispanic techniques and recipes of her Zapotec ancestors. Back in Pati’s kitchen, her experience with Abigail inspires recipes that feature few ingredients used in rustic Oaxacan ways.
Episode 4
The Mezcal Trail
Sep 30, 2017
Pati takes a drive to a region in Oaxaca known for producing some of the best mezcal in all of Mexico. She meets the producer of a small family-run operation and learns how mezcal is made, from field to bottle. Back home, she has a mezcal-inspired get together with a few close friends and serves a bountiful Mexican steak salad and Oaxacan sours made with mezcal.
Episode 5
From Pueblo to City
Oct 7, 2017
Pati spends a day with one of Oaxaca’s best-known chefs and owner of Casa Oaxaca, Alex Ruiz. Alex takes Pati on a personal journey through his favorite market and family farm, showing her the Oaxaca that he knows and loves. In her kitchen, Pati creates some family friendly recipes inspired by her day with Alex and serves them to her son Juju.
Episode 6
Women of Oaxaca
Oct 14, 2017
Pati meets with women chefs, business owners and leaders of society, exploring the role of women in Oaxaca and their influence on the customs and cuisine. In her kitchen, she cooks recipes that she learned from Oaxacan women including coloradito chicken and a mashed potato cazuela. Then, she ends with a favorite of the women in her family, a milky and luscious chocolatey dessert.
Episode 7
The Art of Mole
Oct 21, 2017
Pati takes us on an in-depth exploration of all things mole. Oaxaca is known as the land of moles, and there are too many varieties to name. Through instruction in her kitchen and exploration while in Oaxaca, she’s going to give us the basics of mole, some of its history and importance, and a few of her personal favorite recipes.
Episode 8
In Search of La Mixteca
Oct 28, 2017
Pati travels to a region in Oaxaca known as La Mixteca and learns what makes the food and culture so unique. She meets up with Ixchel Ornellas, a chef, restaurant owner, and one of Mixteca’s best cooks, who invites her on a personal tour of her city. Then, back in her kitchen, Pati creates new recipes based on that experience: corn soup with queso and pescado agridulce.
Episode 9
Oaxaca Breakfast: Messy and Delicious
Nov 4, 2017
Pati visits the town of San Martin Tilcajete to meet Maria and Jacobo at their famous art school. There, she learns the ins and outs of their delicate alebrije making process and tastes an outrageously delicious liver and eggs meal prepared for the artists. In her kitchen, those eggs are an inspiration for a Oaxacan-themed breakfast.
Episode 10
How I Got to Now
Nov 11, 2017
People are always asking Pati how she turned a passion for food into a career. Over the years, she’s told the story in bits and pieces but she’s never told the full story. Throughout this episode, she’ll explain where her passion for food started, what decisions led her to where she is today, and some of the twists and turns she took to get here.
Episode 11
Juju’s Chocolate-Covered Life
Nov 18, 2017
Pati spends the day with her youngest son, Juju. Juju is known for his obsession with chocolate. In this episode, they spend the day in the kitchen coming up with three delicious chocolate-loaded recipes.
Episode 12
Cheesy
Nov 25, 2017
An episode dedicated to one of the Jinich’s favorite ingredients: cheese. In her kitchen, Pati cooks three mouthwatering cheesy recipes – one for each of her boys. In Oaxaca, Pati and her three sons visit a cheese producer to see how the famous Oaxacan cheese is made.
Episode 13
More Than Just a Meal
Dec 2, 2017
In this episode, Pati makes a few family staples with recipes that have many different uses. Perfect for busy families on the go, these recipes can be set aside or kept in the fridge to use later in a variety of delicious meals. They’re more than just a meal, they’ll keep your family satisfied all week.