Spirit Plate

Chef Pyet travels to the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York to visit the Onondaga Nation.

Chef Pyet DeSpain to California’s untamed North Coast—where redwoods scrape the sky and the Klamath River crashes into the Pacific. Here, she dives headfirst into Yurok Country to join tribal fishermen chasing the slippery thrill of Pacific eel, and then hits a bustling farmers market to scoop up fresh coastal bounty. Pyet’s adventure closes in a traditional village feast—smoky grilled eel served to Yurok families in a joyful celebration of tradition, resilience, and the unforgettable flavors of land and sea.