PBS’s “Finding Your Roots” consistently delivers fascinating glimpses into the ancestries of notable figures, and the upcoming episode looks to be no exception. This week, host Henry Louis Gates Jr. welcomes chefs José Andrés and Sean Sherman to explore their family histories, promising a blend of culinary curiosity and historical discovery.
For Andrés, the journey traces back to his native Spain, uncovering ancestral ties to the baking trade. This revelation adds a new dimension to his celebrated career, suggesting that his passion for food might be more than just a personal calling – it could be encoded in his DNA.
Meanwhile, Sherman, known for his focus on Indigenous American cuisine, unearths a particularly compelling story. Gates reveals that Sherman’s great-great-grandfather was a Black man who served as a Buffalo Soldier, a member of one of the first peacetime all-Black regiments in the U.S. Army.
As always, Gates guides the exploration with his trademark blend of scholarly expertise and genuine enthusiasm. He uses genealogical research, historical documents, and DNA analysis to piece together the intricate stories of Andrés’s and Sherman’s families. The episode is more than just a recitation of names and dates; it connects these individual narratives to broader historical currents, giving context to the chefs’ present-day accomplishments. It’s a reminder that even the most celebrated figures are products of a long chain of stories, each one contributing to the rich and complicated mix of human experience.
“Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr.” airs Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 8:00 PM ET on PBS.