TODAY Anchors Reveal Their Most Memorable Bites at ‘Taste of TODAY’ Event
Table of Contents
The TODAY Food team and its celebrated chef partners hosted a vibrant “Taste of TODAY” event, offering fans an immersive experience into the world of culinary delights showcased on the program. Anchors like Craig melvin and Dylan Dreyer didn’t hold back when describing their eager reactions to the dishes,proclaiming,”I’m like,’Oh,my God,'” his eyes lighting up with the memory of recent culinary experiences. This sentiment was echoed throughout the event, highlighting the consistently high quality of food presented on the program.
The “Taste of TODAY” event, held at Platform by the James Beard Foundation, brought together a diverse group of attendees – from dedicated “TODAY” Food segment viewers to a roster of world-class chefs. Guests enjoyed live cooking demonstrations, mingled with the show’s anchors, and sampled the creations firsthand.
Korean Fried Chicken and Herbed Pork Roast steal the Show
Recent standouts included Judy Joo’s Korean fried chicken, which Melvin described as “the most amazing Korean fried chicken I’ve ever had.” He also lauded chef Brian lewis’ Herbed Pork roast, declaring it “the best pork I’ve ever had” after it was featured on the 3rd Hour. Fellow anchor Sheinelle Jones shared a similar enthusiasm for Lewis’ Roasted Beet and Burrata Salad, emphasizing its unique combination of flavors: “It was like a beet salad, but its not just any beet salad… It had fennel and pistachio.It was, like, amazing.”
A Culinary Lineup and Expert Expertise
Anchors Savannah Guthrie, Jenna Bush Hager, and Dreyer collaborated with chefs to recreate dishes from the “TODAY loves Food” cookbook. Attendees also enjoyed a selection of beverages, including wine, beer, and cocktails like savannah’s Savanita, provided by Diageo, Rockaway Brewing Company, and Brooklyn Winery.
The evening’s menu featured Ayesha Nurdjaja’s Chicken Shawarma with White Sauce, David Rose’s Ancho Grilled Skirt Steak with Chipotle Chimichurri, and Katie Lee Biegel’s Chopped Dill Pickle Salad, all prepared live for the audience. Melvin emphasized the value of the expertise on display,praising culinary stars like Siri Daly,Edy Massih,and Priyanka Naik. He noted that “The untold part of the TODAY Food story is the TODAY Food team, and they just do a remarkable job.”
honest Reactions and Family Palates
While generally enthusiastic, the anchors acknowledged that not every dish is a perfect fit for everyone’s palate. Melvin admitted, “I can’t hide it” when a dish doesn’t appeal to him, adding that his mother has observed the same honesty in his reactions. Jones shared a relatable experience, noting that her children’s preference for separated foods sometimes dampened their enthusiasm for dishes she brought home from the show.”My kids don’t like their food to touch, so they’re still in the like, ‘We like chicken, we like potatoes,’ so sometimes I’ll bring something home, and they’re like, ‘I’m not sure.'”
Ultimately, the success of a dish was often measured by the emptiness of an anchor’s plate. Dreyer jokingly acknowledged being “called out on a lot on how much food I’m eating,” adding, “When you’re surrounded by the best-of-the-best chefs, you want to taste their food.” She concluded, echoing the sentiment of many attendees, “And then my mom’s texting me after, ‘Was that really as good as you made it sound? should I try that recipe?’ and I say, ‘Yes, you have to try that recipe.'”
