Nadiya heads on a big American Adventure

Think of American cuisine and what comes to mind? For some people, it may be burgers, fries and the sort of gigantic portions seen on shows like Man v Food.

But there’s a lot more to US dining than that. It’s home to more immigrants than any other country, and those international influences have come together to create some of the most vibrant food in the world.

It’s an aspect of the county that has always appealed to Nadiya Hussain. Her own love of good food first became apparent when she won The Great British Bake Off in 2015, and since then she has gone on to present her own shows, including the travelogue The Chronicles of Nadiya, which saw her going in search of her own culinary roots. More recently, she presented Nadiya Bakes.

And now she’s crossing the Atlantic for the two-part documentary Nadiya’s American Adventure. Nadiya says: “I love meeting people who are as passionate as I am about sharing the food of their homelands. I learnt so much about the amazing ways that cultures mix in America to create exciting twists on delicious delicacies. I can’t wait to share my American adventure!”

The second instalment will find her in California, home to one of the most diverse populations in America. However, she begins her trip in another state that she has always wanted to visit and one that also boasts a history of immigration – Louisiana.

Nadiya’s first destination is New Orleans, a city that’s strategic position at the mouth of the Mississippi Delta has attracted newcomers for centuries from as far as Europe, the Caribbean and more recently from Vietnam. Her trip coincides with the first day of Mardi Gras, which is the perfect excuse for Nadiya to whip up iconic and indulgent king cakes bursting with Chantilly cream, before joining in a lively street party. She also learns more about the city’s recent history as she visits the Lower Ninth Ward, an African American neighbourhood that was devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

There, she meets local hero Bernell, who has spent his life savings opening the area’s own grocery store and soul food café. Nadiya works alongside his mum Lily in the café, before putting her own twist on a New Orleans classic, a crispy fried chicken po boy sandwich.

Then it’s time to leave the city and explore the bayous and swamps of Cajun country. Cajuns settled in Louisiana in the 18th century after fleeing persecution in French-speaking Canada and are known for their delicious cooking.

Nadiya meets legendary 93-year-old great-great-grandma Alzina Toups to learn the secrets of her shrimp and okra gumbo and her black bean jambalaya, recipes that have been handed down through the generations. The presenter is interested in more than just Cajun food, as she also learns about the lifestyle by heading into the swamps – even if it does leave her worried about a close encounter with alligators.

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