Food: Fact or Fiction? Season 4, Episode 21: Layers of Flavors

1

Brunch Beauties

Michael McKean skips breakfast and forgets about lunch so he can get to the bottom of brunch. He discovers how eggs Benedict was blessed by a pope and that we may have a melty mishap to thank for the croque monsieur. Michael concludes his mid-morning meal investigation by explaining how a saucy starlet named the bloody mary.

2

Happy Birthday

Michael McKean makes everyone's birthday wishes come true as he celebrates the best holiday of the year. He discovers that birthday cake was born during a revolution and that a bowl of Chinese noodles can bring you more birthdays to celebrate. Michael then continues the party by learning how eggs take the cake in Ghana.

3

Game Night

Michael McKean goes into the wild to hunt for juicy game meat myths and fresh fish fibs. He calls foul on duck a l'orange with its so-called French origins and throws a line at wicked tuna to find out how we got hooked on tuna melts. Finally, he dusts off his binoculars and sets his sights on the bison burger's presidential ties.

4

Wicked Good

Michael McKean celebrates Halloween by investigating dishes that are so good they're downright wicked! He's uncovering rhubarb pie's paranormal proclivities and does a background check on ramen with its racy rap sheet. Next on this menu of devious delights, Michael dips into a pot of fondue to reveal its ties to a criminal cartel.

5

Baked Goodies

Michael McKean throws the carb-free diet out the window and uncovers the stories behind our favorite baked goodies. He starts by revealing that cupcakes are edible equations and explaining how the whoopie pie nearly caused a civil war. Michael then follows a trail of crumbs all the way to the bakery where he finds there's something in the air when it comes to San Francisco sourdough bread.

6

I'm Stuffed

Michael McKean goes on a spectacular journey of some super stuffed foods. Find out if bao are good enough to save our necks, if toasted ravioli are a big stuffed lie and whether knishes could once land you in jail. Loosen your belt and settle in because these stories are definitely stuffed to the gills!

7

Dishes In Disguise

All is not what it seems as Michael McKean reveals the truth behind dishes in disguise. He uncovers what it took to make turducken tick, how it takes more than magic to get soup inside soup dumplings and how cake and pie have come together in order to save the world.

8

Finger Foods

Put down your fork and get ready to pick up some amazing finger food facts! Michael McKean has things handled, finding out how appetizers found their footing during Prohibition, that a king turned tapas into a tableside treat and why food could really use your hands.

9

Santa's Sweet Tooth

Even Santa eventually succumbs to his sweet tooth after a long night at work! Host Michael McKean takes us on a satisfying sleigh ride to find out if Yule log cakes can keep evil at bay, if panettone was actually created by a Tony and if sugarplums may only exist in our dreams. Whether you've been good or not, we're all about to receive some pretty sweet gifts!

10

Gadgets and Gizmos

Michael McKean has gadgets and gizmos a'plenty, and he's ready to show them all off! Discover that waffle irons were once incredible artists and the stand mixer almost went overboard, and find out why refrigerators would have been left out in the cold if it wasn't for good ole' beer.

11

Dip it Good

Cozy up with a bowl of chips because host Michael McKean has the scoop on our favorite dips! He'll discover that guacamole wouldn't be good without a mailman, queso almost started a civil war and chocolate fountains are full of physics.

12

Vegas, Baby!

Host Michael McKean has a date with Lady Luck and is ready to go all-in on some tempting Vegas eats! He'll find out how prime rib lured us all to Sin City, why prohibition poured us all a shrimp cocktail and whether there's a satisfying strategy to beating a buffet.

13

War and Peace

Michael McKean gets caught in the middle of some culinary conflicts as he uncovers some very delicious details. He solves the Cuban Missile Crisis with chop suey, runs the redcoats out with cornbread and keeps the peace with a little kimchi. No matter which side you stand on, these are all dishes worth fighting for!

14

Play with Your Food

Michael McKean turns our plates into a playground as he finds out the stories behind some famously fun foods! He'll spell out a solution to the Great Depression using alphabet soup, keep the doctor away with gummy bears and find out how the bento box ditched its suit and tie for the sandbox.

15

Bon Appetit

Michael McKean is all berets and baguettes as he digs into a few of France's most fantastic feasts. He crosses the pond to see if crepes could nearly kill a king, if coq au vin was once quite colloquial and if the curve in croissants can slow our roll!

16

Tea Time

Michael McKean has his pinkie out because it's tea time! He's discovering espionage may have bagged us English breakfast, the egg salad sandwich has some complicated chemistry and that matcha tea may be pulling a fast one.

17

Into the Wild

Michael McKean finds his bearings and heads out into the wild blue yonder! On this appetizing adventure, he'll discover if a classic cobbler helped Lewis and Clark, whether Girl Scout Cookies can save the planet and if urban foraging can help us all feel happier.

18

My Kind of Town

Michael McKean is taking us on a wild ride through the Windy City. He's going to determine if Chicago deep dish is definitely pizza, if brownies are just fancy fair food and he'll shed some light on saganaki's flames.

19

Paradise Nosh

Host Michael McKean has two tickets to paradise and is inviting everyone for a taste of the good life! He's finding out how poke started cooking without gas, why the Mai Tai became tied to tiki bars and if Hawaiian pizza is from the great white north.

20

Deli-licious

Dishes from the deli, including how the bagel met cream cheese and lox, black and white cookies, and when pastrami was first put on rye.

21

Layers of Flavors

Host Michael McKean layers it on thick as he digs into lovely layered feasts! He'll find out if club sandwiches were once for members only, how tiramisu tried to take coffee's job and why London may lay claim to lasagna.

22

Fire in the Hole

Michael McKean fans the flames of some fiery hot foods! He discovers that flaming-hot vindaloo may have once been far less combustible, wasabi isn't always what it seems and that jerk chicken is good at keeping ghosts away.

23

Potlucky

Host Michael McKean enlightens us all on how the potluck got started. He discovers how the casserole began as just a pan, why chocolate sheet cake is a Texas treasure and when potlucks first became bring-and-share bashes.

24

Tasting is Believing

Michael McKean reveals the flavors we hold near and dear are not always what they appear! He'll show us how apple pie could go crackers, why seaweed is giving bacon a run for its money and how texture can totally determine taste.

25

Summertime

Host Michael McKean is ready to roll out those lazy days of summer the right way with our favorite summertime dishes! He contemplates if ceviche is really cooked, whether gazpacho came from the Good Book and what the cake in strawberry shortcake really is.

26

Backyard BBQ

Michael McKean learns how barbecue can boost brainpower, discovers Korean barbecue is anything but, and explains why barbecue brisket may be blessed.