Counter Space

Season 1

These days, food is news. Amid the throes of a global pandemic and a changing climate, Sophia Roe uses food as a lens to explore our changing world. Counter Space is an experiential journey through culinary news, trends and innovations.

Where to Watch Counter Space • Season 1

24 Episodes

Hong Kong Protest Food
E1
Hong Kong Protest FoodPolitical dissent finds expression in food; Sophia cooks fishballs and curry sauce; meeting a chef who wrote a protest cookbook; a Black woman making a statement by foraging.
Spain's Table Steaks
E2
Spain's Table SteaksExploring the future of meat from aging oxen to 3D printed steaks; Sophia elevates beef with compound butter; vegan butcher; Venezuelan making a Trump Burger.
Yemen's Coffee Conflict
E3
Yemen's Coffee ConflictA family brings coffee from a warzone to Michigan. Sophia bakes glazed coffee bundt cakes & meet the Monk of Mohka. Plus a social experiment in Black history with black coffee
France Dying on the Vine
E4
France Dying on the VineChampagne makers grapple with the pandemic as Sophia cooks fennel crusted pork with champagne and grape sauce. We meet a bubbly empress while Taji hangs with a boozy treat dealer.
Mexico's Banned Foods
E5
Mexico's Banned FoodsMexico bans junk food to tackle disease as Sophia cooks a dinner with canned and frozen food. We probe trade impacts on tradition and meet snackers scouring the globe for treats.
Lebanon's Crisis Diet
E6
Lebanon's Crisis DietLebanon shifts away from meat amid an economic crisis as Sophia cooks a vegan Kibbeh. Meet a NY chef working in the pandemic & a prisoner who converted his bed to a grill.
Russia's Home Grown
E7
Russia's Home GrownSanctions in Russia help spawn a new industry and Sophia makes sweet and savory Sirniki. A photographer explains why older Russians pack a month's worth of food in the pantry.
Mushrooms: 2020 Winner
E8
Mushrooms: 2020 WinnerWe celebrate the unexpected winner of a bizarre year by digging into mushroom mania. Sophia makes wild mushroom soup and geeks out with Chile's first female mycologist.
Preserving Culture
E9
Preserving CultureUighur restaurateurs use food to preserve their heritage as Sophia cooks Kewap lamb kebabs. We meet a Uighur school founder and a TikToker blending activism and makeup tutorials.
Tank to Table
E10
Tank to TableFishing moves to indoor tanks to feed demand as Sophia makes salmon poke bowls. We meet an evironmental advocate who's shelling out for cleaner waters and see Japan's Ama divers.
Chain Reaction
E11
Chain ReactionMexican cartels muscle in on America's avocado trend while Sophia cooks with cactus to make nopales fish tacos. We meet a supply chain expert and learn the origins of the Hass avocado.
Food Fears
E12
Food FearsJapan's Fukushima farmers work to overcome radiation stigma as Sophia makes black rice pudding & peach compote. We meet a sommelier who says Fukushima's sake is nothing to fear.
Self-curing
E13
Self-curingDesperate Venezuelans turn to tea to fend off the coronavirus and Sophia makes preserved lemons and discusses when food can be considered medicine.
Alt Milk
E14
Alt MilkAustralians milk an invasive species for a dairy alternative as Sophia cooks up some glazed goat milk waffles. We meet a dairy farmer breaking down the impact of milk alternatives.
Future Farms
E15
Future FarmsAmid questions about conventional farming methods, many look to do more with less. We meet people building farms of the future and Sophia shows us how to make braised cabbage.
Last Orders
E16
Last OrdersAs COVID takes its toll on restaurants, we meet those impacted. Sophia bakes them a tribute and meets an expert who suggests that there are hopeful business models on the rise.
Demand & Supply
E17
Demand & SupplyChina super-charges its take-out industry at a cost as Sophia uses restaurant leftovers in a dish. We meet furloughed chefs shifting to delivery and salute the "Thank You" bag.
Feeding Longevity
E18
Feeding LongevityWe meet the people of Ikaria cooking up a healthy way of life as Sophia prepares a Mediterranean classic. We ask if the blue zone diet can be replicated around the world.
Spice Of Life
E19
Spice Of LifeWe go to the annual saffron harvest to see why Kashmir's legally protected spice is so coveted. Sophia explores the roots of the spice trade and makes chai saffron crème brûlée.
Edible Insects
E20
Edible InsectsFrench businesses bet big on insects as food while Sophia shows us how to cook with bugs at home. We explore the off-limit foods that might soon be on our plates.
Taste Of A Nation
E21
Taste Of A NationDecades of political instability take a toll on Iraq's national dish, grilled carp. Sophia shows us how to make Masgouf sauce and meets a chef upholding his heritage through food
Food Justice
E22
Food JusticeCounter Space takes on systemic racism in America's food systems. Sophia pays homage to the legendary chef Edna Lewis through cooking and talks with culinary star Kia Damon.
Elementary Needs
E23
Elementary NeedsSophia explores kids' access to food in Kenya and cooks a traditional Kenyan stew. We meet NY teachers bridging the hunger gap in the U.S. and pay homage to the humble lunch box.
Feeding On Isolation
E24
Feeding On IsolationCounter Space explores the role that isolation has had on eating disorders this year. Sophia and friend Jessie Kahnweiler cook remotely and forge connection during lock down.