A Taste from the Melting Pot – Cultural Traditions and Experiences of Recent, Local Immigrants.

As Maria Lynn celebrated the nation’s independence this July 4th, she did so with a sincere appreciation for what America has personally offered, yet not forgetting her Peruvian roots. This is also true for the Sung family from Taiwan and numerous other families who share their stories of life in America on two new family-friendly NJN series.

The first 13 episode series, “World in America,” is an Emmy-award winning program, which highlights a different ethnic community within each episode – all from the New Jersey / New York area. First and second generation Americans share their stories of what it means to live out an identity that stretches overseas and is at the same time fully American. The program explores family life, educational and business opportunities, as well as cultural gatherings and ethnic foods. Highlights include Ukrainian family traditions, a Mongolian children’s celebration, and a Taiwanese tea ceremony.

The second series, “A Taste from the Melting Pot” is a 13-episode cooking series with everyday people who now call America home. They invite the viewer into their home kitchens to share some of their ancestral country’s finest cuisine. Highlights include a Swiss family who share their recipe for the delectable Swiss Cheese Pie. Also a Peruvian cook offers instructions on preparing a dish of marinated steak and potatoes called Lomo Saltado.

Both series are produced by Everest Production, a Somerset, New Jersey-based production company that specializes in family and multicultural programming. “From our inception, Everest has been committed to celebrating the cultural heritage of America,” says Nasuhi Yurt, company Vice President. “We’re delighted to be doing so on New Jersey Public Television where the community of viewers is rich with diversity.”

NJN2 will broadcast each program every evening at 6:30 PM. “I am thrilled to have such an interesting series broadcast on NJN. These programs allow us to know a little more about the very interesting people from around the world who live here in NJ,” says NJN Program Director, Andre Butts.

The countries represented in each series include Taiwan, El Salvador, Korea, Turkey, Ethiopia, Ukraine, Mongolia, Ethiopia, Philippines, Bosnia, Iran, Nigeria, Switzerland, Thailand, Peru, and many others.