Provided by SCETV — The Savers of Flavor - Chef Kevin Mitchell and food historian David Shields
A Culinary Institute of Charleston chef is taking Southern foodways to a national audience in “The Savers of Flavor,” a new PBS-distributed series debuting this month.
Hosted by Chef Kevin Mitchell, a faculty member at Trident Technical College, and food historian Dr. David Shields, the series explores the preservation of historic Southern ingredients and the stories behind them. Through a blend of documentary storytelling, travel and cooking, the series traces culinary traditions from farms and fields to restaurant kitchens across the Southeast.
Trident Technical College welcomed faculty and staff on May 6 for an exclusive advance screening of Episode 103, “Okra from Another Mother (Motherland Okra),” which included a tribute to Mitchell’s grandmother. The event celebrated the series launch with a red-carpet movie premiere atmosphere.
With each episode, Mitchell and Shields work to rediscover rare and endangered crops — ingredients that have long defined the region’s flavor, history and culture but are now at risk of disappearing. Their efforts connect agricultural preservation with culinary innovation, highlighting how these ingredients can once again play a role in modern cuisine.
“With ‘The Savers of Flavor,’ we shine a light on the ingredients and stories that shaped the South long before they were celebrated on modern tables,” Mitchell said. “This series is a reminder that preservation is powerful and that flavor carries memory.”
Matthew Fortner/Trident Tech
Trident Technical College employees enjoying the advance screening of Episode 103: Okra from Another Mother (Motherland Okra)
Mitchell, a Culinary Institute of America graduate and the first African American chef instructor at the Culinary Institute of Charleston, is widely recognized for his work as a culinary historian and scholar. His research focuses on preserving Southern food traditions and elevating the historical contributions of African Americans to American cuisine.
Nathan Rex, dean of the Culinary Institute of Charleston, said the series reflects both Mitchell’s expertise and the college’s mission.
“Chef Mitchell’s work exemplifies the intersection of culinary artistry, history and research,” Rex said. “His role in ‘The Savers of Flavor’ demonstrates the impact our faculty are making not only in the classroom, but on a national stage — preserving traditions that define Southern culture while inspiring future chefs.”
Produced by South Carolina ETV, “The Savers of Flavor” premiered locally May 7 at 8 p.m. on SCETV. The series is also available for streaming on PBS and SCETV digital platforms.