American Idol Winner Taylor Hicks to Host 'State Plate'

Each of our nation's 50 states is identified with specific foods: crab cakes in Maryland, potatoes in Idaho, chili in Texas, lobster in Maine. We all know Georgia is known for peaches, peanuts, and Vidalia onions, but why? How did these foods become associated with this state more than any other? As food and culture are inextricably bound together, the story of a state's cuisine is also the story of its culture.

In each episode of the INSP original series "State Plate," platinum selling artist and popular American Idol winner, Taylor Hicks takes viewers on an unforgettable culinary tour of a particular state, on a quest to assemble a plate of the state's most emblematic foods.

Along the way, he visits farms, ranches, markets, festivals, and other exciting locales in order to uncover the stories and legends behind the state's unique food traditions.

More than 200 million viewers worldwide tuned in to see Taylor crowned as the season five winner, making it one of the most-watched television events of the last decade. Aside from his music career, Taylor has a deep passion for food. He is co-owner of Saw's Juke Joint, a barbeque and blues bar in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama.