Bring out the balloons and streamers...and aprons and spoons. America’s Test Kitchen—the iconic culinary media brand and trusted cooking resource for millions—turns 25 in September and is celebrating in style. The original test kitchen, ATK revolutionized the way Americans cook through its namesake television show, America’s Test Kitchen, which holds the title of the most-watched cooking program on public television, with more than two million viewers each week. Over 25 seasons and
600-plus episodes, America’s Test Kitchen has become the cooking world’s best friend, a source of knowledge and inspiration for
audiences spanning generations.
Dan Souza, ATK’s chief content officer, is a science expert and recipe presenter on America’s Test Kitchen. “From day one, we’ve put the home cook on a pedestal,” Souza says. “I’ve always believed that the most important cooking in America happens at home. Home is where we learn to love food and cooking. We are incredibly proud of the fact that we have taught millions of Americans to cook.”
Located in a state-of-the-art, 15,000-square-foot test kitchen in Boston’s Seaport District, ATK—which encompasses multiple TV shows, award-winning cookbooks, a podcast called Proof, highly trafficked social media channels, and more—tests all of its recipes, equipment, and ingredients against rigorous scientific standards, earning it the trust of everyday cooks and culinary experts alike.
Jack Bishop, ATK’s senior content advisor, was part of the original team that started America’s Test Kitchen, beginning with the launch of Cook’s Illustrated magazine in 1993. “The show has always been about the viewer, not the cast,” Bishop says. “We provide useful information. Period. We teach viewers how to make great food at home, and along the way we give them guidance on buying ingredients and equipment and explain the scientific principles behind our recipes. That formula has worked for 25 years because it’s
focused on providing viewers with actionable information they can use to make their lives better.”
The dedicated staff of test cooks, editors, and product testers at ATK spend their time working to give audiences the best tips, techniques, and insights around, developing recipes and offering objective reviews with the mission to inspire confidence, community,
and creativity in the kitchen. Before recipes are shared with audiences, they’re tested and retested in-house and sent out to an astonishing 60,000 home cooks who try the recipes themselves and give their honest feedback as part of ATK’s strict vetting procedure. “It’s a time- and labor-intensive process that lasts about six weeks per recipe,” Souza says. “It’s why we can stand behind
our recipes with such confidence.”
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, ATK will release a one-hour special set to air on PBS the week of September 16, and the 25th season of America’s Test Kitchen will premiere on September 21. On September 17, ATK will also release America’s Test Kitchen 25th Anniversary Cookbook: 500 Recipes That Changed the Way America Cooks, a photorich, comprehensive collector’s cookbook
celebrating the silver anniversary of ATK’s eponymous television show.
“Anniversaries are a time to both reflect and look toward the future,” Souza says. “In putting this book together, we were able to survey the incredible recipes we’ve created over the last quarter century and to assemble our top 500 in a gorgeous package that will continue to impact home cooks for years to come. It’s a toast to what we’ve accomplished and a promise of exciting things ahead.”
America’s Test Kitchen has stood the test of time and continues to innovate and grow. “Our dedication to helping home cooks succeed in the kitchen, gain valuable skills, and simply make incredible food for themselves, friends, and family is our polestar,” Souza says, adding that the company is constantly evolving to meet cooks wherever they are—whether they have a minute for
a quick video on Instagram or TikTok or half an hour to watch on YouTube or PBS.
For Bishop, the hardworking staff is in service of ATK’s ultimate goal: giving home cooks the confidence to learn skills and try recipes. “We’ve had so much fun over the past 25 years,” Bishop says. “True comradery has been key to our success and our longevity. We work hard every day to continue the legacy for our fans, and believe you can see that dedication in our shows and taste it in our recipes."
