We Are The Mighty’s New Documentary Food Series MEALS READY TO EAT Premieres Nov. 8 on KCET and Link TV
CONTACT for KCETLink:
Allison Gray
agray@kcet.org /747.201.5298
CONTACT for We Are The Mighty:
Carol Levey
Carol.Levey@wearethemighty.com /818-692-6549
Written, Produced, Directed and Hosted by Military Veterans, Series Celebrates Service Through Surprising Foodie Culture in The Military
Features Interviews and Cooking Demos with Chefs from Los Angeles Restaurants Redbird, Norah, Otium, The Bazaar by José Andrés and More
Also streaming on YouTube, Roku, Amazon and Apple TV.
Burbank, Calif. – Oct. 10, 2017 – KCETLink Media Group, a leading national independent nonprofit public broadcast and digital network, announced today the launch of a new documentary food series MEALS READY TO EATproduced in partnership with military-veteran media brand We Are The Mighty. Written, produced, directed and hosted by military veterans, MEALS READY TO EAT travels coast to coast and abroad exploring the foodie culture and gourmet culinary practices of the military-veteran community. MEALS READY TO EAT will premiere on Weds., Nov. 8 at 8:30 p.m. PT on KCET in Southern California and 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on Link TV Nationwide (DirecTV 375 and DISH Network 9410).e
Navy veteran, food aficionado and show host August Dannehl goes behind-the-scenes into the vibrant world of military food operations, from gourmet recipes developed inside military dining halls to a Marine veteran who utilizes his military experience to command a first-class kitchen. Directed and co-written with Dannehl by award-winning filmmaker and US Army combat veteran Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, the series also features interviews and cooking demos with key Los Angeles chefs and food influencers including Mike Williams (Norah), Neal Fraser (Redbird), Mei Lin (Bravo’s Top Chef), Holly Jivin (The Bazaar at SLS), Tim Hollingsworth (Otium) and mixologist Matt Seigel (The Nice Guy).
“We are excited to partner with We Are the Mighty to launch this unique series that explores how food brings community together in such an entertaining and educational way,” said Michael Riley, President and CEO of KCETLink Media Group. “By exploring other cultures like the military, KCET can enlighten audiences and foster a deeper understanding of other ways of life, while at the same time celebrating American cuisine.”
“What we love about Meals Ready To Eat is that it explores the food experience through the unique perspective of veterans, in front and behind the camera,” stated David Gale, CEO of We Are The Mighty. “Meals Ready to Eat is not only great entertainment, but it breaks down stereotypes and takes a new and fascinating approach to telling the stories of our diverse military culture. We are excited to join the KCET family and share these stories with their audience.”
MEALS READY TO EAT will telecast as follows (subject to change):
Wed., Nov. 8 - Episode One “Natick and Fort Lee”:
Meet the scientists and chefs working to ensure the health and wellbeing of our nation’s finest, even as they are challenged by the toughest terrains and harshest conditions in the world. Watch host August Dannehl and fellow veteran Mike Williams, currently the Executive Chef of West Hollywood restaurant Norah, transform the military’s utilitarian ration MRE into a mouthwatering “Jambalaya Risotto with Duo of Duck.”
Wed., Nov. 15 - Episode Two “Darling Farm and 10th Mountain Whiskey Brigade”:
Visit former Army Ranger Jon Darling’s farm and 10th Mountain Whiskey, a craft distillery that honors the legacy of the daring World War II Army division. West Hollywood’s The Nice Guy Mixologist Matt Seigel and host August Dannehl toast the military’s valor by making a “Lamb-Infused Whiskey Cocktail” and a “Braised Lamb Belly with Sour Cherry Compote.”
Wed., Nov. 22 - Episode Three “CIA and Petit Trois”:
Walk the halls of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) located just across the Hudson River from West Point. Spend time with Chef Ludo Lefebvres’ lieutenant, Will Marquardt, Army veteran and Chef de Cuisine at celebrated French bistro Petit Trois in Hollywood. Host August Dannehl joins Top Chef Master and CIA veteran Neal Fraser, currently the owner of downtown L.A. restaurant Redbird, to demonstrate a simple yet refined technique that can result in a gastronomic work of art.
Wed., Nov. 29 - Episode Four “Okinawa and Guam”:
Travel across the Pacific to Okinawa and Guam where the U.S. military has been a strong influence for decades. Host August Dannehl and Top Chef winner Mei Lin explore the fusion of Asian and American flavors with her “Island Congee with Coconut Milk-Braised Pork Shoulder.”
Wed., Dec. 6 - Episode Five “Coast Guard and Philly”:
Food can be a strong source of comfort and enabler of camaraderie as expressed by Coast Guard cook Arianna Gunn and South Philadelphia Fire Department resident chef and Marine veteran Bill Joerger. Chef de Cuisine Holly Jivin, who leads a team of more than 30 people at The Bazaar by José Andrés at the Beverly Hills SLS, prepares the restaurant’s signature interpretation of a “Philly Cheesesteak.”
Wed., Dec. 13 - Episode Six “Israel”:
Journey to Nablus in The West Bank and the streets of Tel Aviv in search of food that brings people together. Tim Hollingsworth, former chef de cuisine for Thomas Keller’s Michelin-starred restaurant The French Laundry and now Executive Chef at downtown L.A. restaurant Otium, cooks up a “Dry-aged Beef Tartare with Yogurt Mint Bulgur” inspired by his wife of Palestinian and Iraqi descent.
Join the conversation on social media using #MRE.
ABOUT KCETLINK MEDIA GROUP
KCETLink Media Group is a national independent, nonprofit, digital and broadcast network that provides high-quality, culturally diverse programming designed to engage the public in innovative, entertaining and transformative ways. With a commitment to independent perspectives, smart global entertainment, local communities, and opportunities for engagement and social action, KCETLink depicts people and the world through a lens unavailable elsewhere in U.S. media. A viewer-supported 501(c)(3) organization, KCETLink content is distributed nationally via satellite on Link TV DIRECTV channel 375 and DISH Network channel 9410 and on KCET in Southern and Central California via broadcast and cable, as well as through various digital delivery systems. For additional information about KCET and Link TV productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org or linktv.org. Select programming from KCET and Link TV is also available for streaming on Apple TV, Amazon and Roku platforms.
ABOUT WE ARE THE MIGHTY
We Are The Mighty (WATM)is the leading multi-platform media brand engaging America’s military, a loyal group who comprise one-third of the country (114 million). WATM’s team of veteransand media professionals authentically capture the voice of this community with original and branded content, experiences and events that entertain, break down stereotypes, inspire and celebrate the spirit of service. WATM and the groups we work with including companies, nonprofits, and veteran service organizations, among others strive to have a positive and meaningful impact on the community we serve.
