The American reality food travel program “From Scratch” recently made its way to Taiwan to showcase the beauty of the country’s diverse food culture. The show, which filmed from October 2 to October 10, 2023, featured Michelin-starred chef Paul Lee creating a special Taiwanese menu for the host, David Moscow. The Taiwan Tourism Administration Office in Los Angeles provided support for the episode titled “Taiwan Album”.
During the filming, David Moscow was tasked with sourcing local ingredients from various regions in Taiwan, including cities, tribes, and villages. The host’s culinary journey began with a visit to a night market to challenge the infamous “Spicy Duck Blood Stinky Tofu” on his first day in Taiwan.
Representative Lin Yizheng of the Taiwan Tourism Administration in Los Angeles expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, emphasizing the focus on Taiwan’s food culture and sustainable tourism experiences. The episode’s broadcast coincided with Taiwan’s 2024 “World Aboriginal Tourism Summit”, with hopes of sparking interest in tribal dining table tourism experiences.
“Tastemade” global channels, including Amazon Prime Video, Roku, Samsung TV Plus, and Youtube, began airing “Taiwan Album” on April 17, 2024. The program showcases David Moscow’s adventures in Taiwan, ranging from experiencing coastal hunter culture to foraging for ingredients in indigenous tribes.
Despite challenges such as Typhoon “Little Dog”, the filming team persevered with the support of local communities. David’s exploration of Taiwanese towns, farms, and cuisine left a lasting impression on him, with the host praising the freshness and quality of local ingredients.
Overall, the collaboration between “From Scratch” and Taiwan aims to promote food tourism and attract visitors from around the world to experience the country’s culinary delights. With the help of sponsors like StarLux Airlines, the show successfully highlighted Taiwan’s rich food culture and breathtaking landscapes, leaving viewers eager to embark on their own Taiwanese food adventure.