Summary
“Selena + Tanya Holland” embrace their Southern heritage by frying some chicken and making biscuits. Even Papa’s impressed.
This recap of Selena + Chef Season 1 Episode 8, “Selena + Tanya Holland”, contains spoilers. You can check out our thoughts on the previous episode by clicking these words.
Tanya Holland is on deck for some classic American recipes, including buttermilk fried chicken — now we’re talking! — and bacon cheddar scallion biscuits. It’s southern heritage all around here, and Oakland’s mayor designating a day as “Tanya Holland Day” is proof that she’s doing well. And that fried chicken is never going out of style.
Cutting the chicken into pieces proves a major issue for Selena, who has to recruit Nana for help. No such luck. The breasts go back in the bag for another day.
You get the sense in “Selena + Tanya Holland” that Tanya doesn’t have much patience for Selena’s ditsy personality. Put an apron on! Season every inch! Cut lengthwise! It’s like that teacher you always pretended you hated because she didn’t put up with any nonsense but she’s the only one who ever actually taught you anything.
Papa and Nana pull out the air horn for Selena + Chef episode 8, which is apparently a long-standing prank. It isn’t that funny the first time but plays better a bit later when Papa gets her next to the hot oil. Tanya doesn’t seem too impressed.
It’s time to fry some chicken! We’re talking about star signs too, but that’s thankfully skipped over pretty quickly when Selena mistakes buttermilk for heavy cream.
Donation time. Tanya’s supporting No Kid Hungry, a worthwhile cause if ever there was one.
The food turns out well. Papa and Nana think it’s one of the best dishes they’ve made, which seems hard to disagree with from my angle. If the grandparents are happy, you know you’ve done well.
