This week he tastes his way across…you guessed it…Wisconsin! Go along for the ride, as he milks a cow to make squeaky fresh cheese curds, grinds pork and makes bratwurst with a local bratwurst legend, and visits a facility that produces more sauerkraut than anyone else in the world. Taylor also serves up a huge pot of chicken booyah and makes his own unique version of the delicious fruit-filled kringle pastry.

Did you know ice cream sundae was given its name in Evanston, Illinois? Well, this week, singer and entertainer Taylor Hicks enjoys a few scoops of the creamy confection as he tastes his way across Illinois looking to discover the state’s most emblematic foods. Come along as he visits the cornfields that produce the official state snack: popcorn. He also learns how to bake the perfect bread for the famous Italian beef sandwich, and he heads to the windy city to get the low down on deep-dish pizza and the Chicago-style hot dog.

Join him as he herds Churro sheep, plants tepary beans, discovers the surprising birthplace of the chimichanga, and more! Then sit down to Arizona’s finest, a meal of tender lamb stew, versatile Navajo fry bread, crispy chimichanga, tasty tepary beans and sweet prickly pear cactus candy. Hungry? Get ready for a plateful of Arizona cuisine filled with a heaping side of stories and legends behind the state’s tastiest foods.

Join him as he heads to the mudflats to go digging for soft-shell clam “steamers,” works with a horse to hill potatoes in the field, and learns how to cook authentic bean-hole beans over hot coals. Then it’s out to sea, as he also goes lobster fishing to get to the main ingredient of Maine’s famous lobster roll. The Maine menu wouldn’t be complete without dessert! Taylor finishes it off with a slice of fresh blueberry pie.

From the sandy beaches to the…well, swampy swamps, host Taylor Hicks hits the road to The Sunshine State seeking out Florida’s most popular and emblematic foods! With the help of iconic actress Maureen McCormick, Taylor uncovers the stories and legends behind the Sunshine State’s traditional cuisine. Not only do they enjoy some tasty tidbits, but they also dive into some unique Florida experiences. Join Taylor as he learns how to harvest a local favorite called swamp cabbage, and Maureen heads out to sea to fish for stone crab. They also sample alligator bites and a Florida fruit that is almost as popular as the orange: the Kumquat. And, of course, they can’t leave the great state of without indulging in Florida’s a savory slice of key lime pie.

The man who has his own barbecue joint is in for some BBQ—Texas style! Taylor Hicks is not only in show biz, but he’s in the restaurant business, as well, and he knows his barbecue! In the Lone Star State he saddles up, lopes off on a cattle drive and chows down on some tender, spicy barbecue brisket, and makes cowboy-style pan de campo over a campfire. The Texas state food is chili, so the pressure is on when Taylor judges a chili cook-off between two legends of the chili world. Then he makes a sweet onion casserole at the largest onion farm in America. Can’t go without dessert! Taylor learns a family’s cherished recipe as he helps bake a big ole Texas sheet cake. It’s a heaping plateful of savory cuisine, as big as Texas itself, filled with the stories and legends behind the state’s tastiest foods.

Join him as he hunts for crawfish deep in the swamps, harvests rice on a giant combine, learns how to make the perfect Po’ boy sandwich! And if you think the food is hot, wait till you hear this heated debate! According to one source the state cuisine of Louisiana is gumbo. But some may beg to differ! So which one food best represents the Pelican State? Is it gumbo, jambalaya, or étouffée? You’ll have to watch to see who wins this one! Louisiana being a state known for its lighthearted, joie de vivre, we end on a sweet note when Taylor tries his hand at making beignets in the kitchen of Café du Monde

There really is a state dessert, and for Massachusetts, it’s the Boston cream pie! Singer and host, Taylor Hicks, heads to the Bay State to get a mouthwatering taste of its finest and most symbolic foods. Hit the road (and the deep sea!) with him as he shucks clams on the beach to make fresh clam chowder, goes deep sea fishing to catch striped bass for fish and chips, discovers what puts the Boston in Boston Baked Beans. He also learns the art of making traditional New England bulkie rolls. Now about that dessert…Taylor takes you to the birthplace of the Boston cream pie and makes his own rendition.

So let’s hear it for some Georgia pride! Because this week, Taylor tastes his way across Georgia on a quest to sample the state’s most emblematic foods. With the help of iconic actress Maureen McCormick, Taylor uncovers the stories behind Georgia’s traditional southern dishes. Join Taylor as he hauls in boatloads of shrimp at a seaside dock, and Maureen learns how to mill corn into grits. They also sample boiled peanuts at a roadside stand and discover why Georgia onions are among the sweetest in the country. For a perfect ending, they visit a pecan orchard for pecan pie and a peach orchard for peach ice cream.

The honeybee may be the state insect of Nebraska, but right now, all the buzz is about singer and entertainer Taylor Hicks. In this episode of State Plate, he hits the road, and tastes his way across the Cornhusker State! His mission: to discover Nebraska’s most iconic, beloved traditional foods. In a state known for its high-quality steak, Taylor discovers why connoisseurs love corn-feed beef, and he gets a tasty lesson in the differences in cuts of steak. You can’t be in the Cornhusker State without paying tribute to the sweet vegetable for which it’s named—corn. And Taylor does it as only he can behind the wheel of a corn topper during a sweet corn harvest. Taylor also discovers the story behind the state’s beloved cheese frenchee and gets baking tips as he prepares two of Nebraska’s favorite desserts – the popcorn ball and the kolache. It’s an overflowing plateful of Nebraska cuisine filled with the stories and legends behind the state’s tastiest foods.

It’s only fitting that Taylor Hicks should travel to Colorado. After all, the largest flat-top mountain is in Grand Mesa. Okay…you’re thinking. Well, “mesa” means table in Spanish, and what do we do at the table? Eat! Singer and entertainer Taylor Hicks tastes his way across the Centennial State on a serious quest to discover the state’s most emblematic foods. Things heat up in southeastern Colorado, as he roasts Pueblo green chilies then turn cool and sweet when he picks Rocky Ford cantaloupes. In Denver, he scientifically proves just how much sugar is in Olathe sweet corn. And in the heart of the Rockies, Taylor tries his hand at herding world-renowned Colorado lamb, and samples the state’s famous Rocky Mountain oysters. It’s an overflowing plateful of Colorado cuisine with the stories and legends behind the state’s tastiest foods.

Eureka! Yes, it is exciting that singer and entertainer Taylor Hicks is heading to California in this episode of State Plate! But “Eureka” is also California’s state motto translated from Greek, meaning “I found it!” The motto was adopted in 1849 and is associated with the discovery of gold. Will Taylor strike “gold” in his search for California’s most iconic foods? As he tastes his way across the Golden State, Taylor tries his hand at harvesting artichokes and grafting avocado trees. On the coast, he learns how to make the famed San Francisco fish stew, cioppino, and tastes sourdough bread made with a special yeast that thrives in this area of the country. For dessert, Taylor shakes things up with a mechanical tree shaker in order to harvest almonds. It’s a plateful of California cuisine filled with the stories and legends behind the state’s tastiest foods.

Entertainer Taylor Hicks visits his home state of Alabama to uncover the state’s most iconic foods. While in the Heart of Dixie, Taylor catches a Sheepshead fish to make a southern seafood dip and takes us to his own BBQ restaurant where he introduces us to a white sauce that goes on just about anything. He also visits the cafe that put Fried Green Tomatoes on the map and learns how to make a dessert with a kick—the sweet home Alabama Lane cake. It’s a whirlwind visit home for Taylor, complete with his favorite foods, music and friends.

Entertainer Taylor Hicks tastes his way across Mississippi on a quest to discover the state’s most emblematic foods. Along the way, he visits the home of the blues to make the coolest food in the Delta: the “koolickle.” Taylor fishes the Mississippi River for fresh catfish without using a pole and grinds corn for homemade hushpuppies fried to golden perfection. He plants the delicious staple known as black-eyed peas and discovers how the decadent chocolate mud pie got its name. It’s an abundant plateful of Mississippi cuisine filled with the stories and legends behind the state’s tastiest foods.

Entertainer Taylor Hicks tastes his way across Vermont in pursuit of the state’s most noteworthy foods. First, Taylor explores the cheese trail, where he learns to “hoop” the curds, preparing world-class cheddar cheese. Next, he learns how to tap a maple tree and gets his hands dirty folding dough to make time-honored common crackers. Then, he is introduced to a fiddlehead that’s meant for eating, and he sinks his teeth into an apple pie fit for a president. It’s a beautiful ride through the mountains of Vermont, where Taylor learns firsthand that everything does taste better with cheddar.

Entertainer Taylor Hicks tastes his way across New York on a quest to assemble a plate of the state’s most iconic foods. First, Taylor heads to the Union Square farmer’s market to gather ingredients for a classic Waldorf salad. Then, he visits Delmonico’s to learn how to cut and cook the namesake steak. Next, he travels to Central New York to sort spuds for salt potatoes and assemble the Italian-inspired Utica greens. Finally, he prepares a quintessential New York cheesecake. It’s a heaping helping of New York cuisine filled with the stories and legends behind the Empire State’s historic foods.

Entertainer Taylor Hicks tastes his way across Missouri on a quest to assemble a plate of the state’s most iconic foods. First, he visits one of the oldest Italian neighborhoods in St. Louis, where they prefer their ravioli toasted. Next, he crashes a cook-off, in search of the best BBQ pork steak. Then, he learns the secret to a local comfort food, pork and beans. For dessert, it’s a double dose of sweetness with a gooey butter cake and a crispy waffle cone with ice cream. It’s a heaping helping of the Show Me State’s most historic and delicious foods.

Entertainer Taylor Hicks tastes his way across Iowa on a quest toassemble a plate of the state’s most iconic foods. First, he learns the art of hog calling from a ten-time champion and mixes up a batch of ham balls. Next, he helps prep award-winning pork tenderloin sandwiches with unique, tiny buns. He uses local corn and soy crops to stir up some succotash. Then, he gets a taste of the sour main ingredient of a classic rhubarb pie. It’s a heaping helping of Iowa cuisine filled with the stories and legends behind the Hawkeye State’s most delicious foods.

Entertainer Taylor Hicks tastes his way across Minnesota on a quest to assemble a plate of the state’s most iconic foods. First, he forages for a hidden treasure, morel mushrooms. Next, he heads to one of the famous ten thousand lakes in pursuit of walleye, the official state fish. Then, he learns to make two traditional dishes: a casserole-style meal known as “hot dish,” and a Norwegian flatbread called “lefse.” Finally, he visits the birthplace of the Bundt cake. It’s a heaping helping of Minnesota cuisine filled with the stories and legends behind the North Star State’s most delectable foods..

Entertainer Taylor Hicks tastes his way across South Dakota on a quest to assemble a plate of the state’s most monumental foods. First, he visits a sheep farm where they produce flavorful meat for chislic, a cubed meat dish. Next, he heads to a bison ranch to learn how to herd bison, and he scouts roadside ditches in search of wild asparagus. Then, he learns how to make two of the state’s popular desserts: a Native American berry dish called “wojapi” and a German inspired pastry called “kuchen.” It’s a heaping helping of the Mount Rushmore State’s most delicious foods.

First stop, the mushroom capital of the world, where Taylor learns how to cultivate edible fungi. Then, it’s off to the City of Brotherly Love to make classic Philly Cheesesteaks. Next, Taylor ventures to Amish country to learn how to prepare chow-chow and twist pretzel dough. Finally, he learns how to make a classic molasses-filled dessert that lives up to its name: shoofly pie. It’s a plateful of Pennsylvania cuisine filled with legends and stories behind the state’s historic foods.

Entertainer Taylor Hicks tastes his way across Maryland on a mission to assemble a plate of the state’s most iconic foods. Obviously, seafood is on the menu for this Mid-Atlantic state, so Taylor learns to make seafood coddies, goes fishing for blue crab on Chesapeake Bay, and tries his hand at farming oysters for the perfect oyster stew. In order to have something to accompany the seafood, Taylor is trained in the old-fashioned and time-consuming art of beating biscuits. Finally, he gets a lesson in constructing a classic, eight-layered Smith Island cake. It’s a heaping-helping of Maryland’s most delicious foods.

Entertainer Taylor Hicks tastes his way across Oregon on a mission to assemble a plate of the state’s most iconic foods. First, Taylor visits a pear orchard in the fertile Willamette Valley to sample the official state fruit. Then, he heads to the coast to learn how to catch Dungeness crabs. Further inland, Taylor hunts for elusive truffles and roasts raw hazelnuts. Finally, he visits the birthplace of the marionberry, a hybrid blackberry that is the main ingredient of the state’s famous pies. It’s a plateful of the best of Oregon, filled with the stories behind the state’s classic foods.

Entertainer Taylor Hicks tastes his way across Washington State on a mission to create a plate of its most iconic foods. First, Taylor heads to the shoreline to dig up the locally loved geoduck, a huge and strange-looking clam. Then, he catches a Coho salmon, which is grilled on a cedar plank and served with stewed apples harvested from a public orchard. Dessert is fresh-picked raspberries, baked in a tart and accompanied by an artfully poured espresso drink from the nation’s coffee capital. It’s a heaping helping of The Evergreen State, piled high with its weird, scrumptious, and aromatic foods.

In this episode of State Plate, Taylor treks through the Last Frontier to show you how to eat like an Alaskan. He’ll travel to our northern-most state to bring you delicacies not found anywhere else in the nation. First, he’ll check out a hot dog that looks familiar but hides a tasty secret. Then, he’ll fish the Alaskan waters for two different types of kings. Finally, he’ll learn the lore behind two Alaskan eats: pickled kelp and Eskimo ice cream. If you crave adventure and hunger for the unknown, join Taylor on his tasty exploration of this wild land.