KAMU Station News

Say Hello to KAMU Donation Days!

Public media stations like KAMU have long relied on the generosity of viewers and listeners to provide quality programming to all ages. The familiar phrase in every show intro – “and viewers like you” – is more than just a catchy slogan; it’s heartfelt acknowledgment of the important role each donation plays. Every time you hear that phrase, remember: it’s not just a nod to a faceless source of dollars, but an appreciative shout-out to you, the local supporter who makes it all possible.

If you follow us on social media, you might’ve noticed a slight change to the way we refer to our TV and Radio Pledge Drives. These days dedicated to special programming and accepting your contributions are now called KAMU Donation Days!

What is a Donation Day?

Since the creation of public broadcasting, generosity from viewers and listeners has allowed stations to reliably deliver high-quality programming that informs, educates and entertains. KAMU-TV/FM is proud to have served as Aggieland’s Public Television and Radio since the 1970s. Your support sustains our full-time crew and our Texas A&M student interns, who gain invaluable experience and knowledge that prepares them to enter the broadcasting and storytelling industries.

How to Give During Donation Days

During KAMU Donation Days, it’s easy to give either at 979-845-5656 or at tx.ag/KAMUDonationDays. Local KAMU employees and volunteers will be ready for your generous call. Be sure to ask them if your pledge is eligible for a special, premium gift!

While Donation Days happen once every few months, you can give ANYTIME! Donate online to KAMU-TV or FM with a few simple clicks.

Meet KAMU’s Student Employees

As Aggieland welcomes back students for a new school year, we get to do the same. KAMU is home to many talented and hardworking student employees who help make our projects come to life. Through the mentorship of the KAMU team, these students not only learn new skills in areas they are passionate about but also get to express themselves creatively. Learning, creating and serving their community… our students say it’s a win-win-win situation!

From operating cameras in our TV studio to social media management and writing news articles, check out the roles our student workers fill and the impactful work they get to do every day, in part thanks to generous donations that allow us to teach the next generation about our industry.

Production Services

Have you ever thought about all the steps it takes to get a television show, social media reel or YouTube video to your screen? No matter how big a job, know that KAMU’s production assistants, or PAs, can do it all!

Program Coordinator Zaria White leads and instructs her team of production students on the television and livestreaming side of our station. Students do a little bit of everything depending on the day. Whether it is editing together a promo for your favorite PBS drama or operating a camera for our livestream team at Midnight Yell, they are constantly learning new skills in video editing software, live video production, camera operation and even sound design. The PAs also spend a lot of their time in our studio preparing sets, running cables and making sure everything is ready for when that record light turns on.

Production Services student employee“Here we get so many opportunities to try out different jobs and everyone is always willing to teach us something new.”

If you have a favorite KAMU original program, it’s likely that a student production assistant worked on it in some capacity! Students have helped film, edit and promote programs like “Texas A&M Today,” “Aggie Chef Showdown,” “Inside Political Science” and more.

Production Services student employee

Marketing

Keeping up with trends and posting the freshest content to our socials. That’s just one of the many things that our marketing student workers do every day. Alongside Marketing Coordinator Alex Bowden, these students work with our marketing team on social media, content creation and community events. They spend their time at the office researching the latest trends and audience preferences to see what content you would enjoy. Through helping manage our social media presence, these students learn skills in writing, graphic design, producing video content and so much more.

Another huge part of these roles is community engagement. KAMU participates in many different events throughout the year, including First Friday, Texas A&M’s New Faculty Orientation, the City of College Station’s Monarch March and so many more. Our marketing students assist with the planning, set up and execution of all these events while also capturing content to be posted on social media.

Emiley giving out prize to guest“One of my favorite parts of this job is interacting with kids at First Friday. Seeing the happiness we bring to the community through representing PBS and giving away swag is so meaningful.”

Recently, these students helped the marketing team create KAMU Kids Corner: your hub for all things PBS KIDS at the click of a button. Visit Kids Corner here, or read all about it in this article.

KAMU team sitting behind table during First Friday

Content Production

When you read something on the KAMU website or newsletter (subscribe today!), one of our content production assistants had a hand in writing it! With the leadership of Production and Content Coordinator Christian Hamilton, these students help determine what content you should know about. They help create graphics, manage our station website, design our monthly email newsletter and write articles that keep you updated on what’s new at KAMU. They also assist with small video projects and photography, plus produce their own audio stories on “KAMU Student Perspectives.”

Content Production student employee on set“Working on the newsletter promo that aired on our TV channel was so fun. I got to work on all aspects of the project, starting with writing the script then story boarding. I then got to be present throughout the production process, appear in the video and finally edit it all together. It was so rewarding to see it come full circle.”

Our content production students also help many of our KAMU original programs get from our studio to your screens. Prior to filming, these students help write scripts and interview questions. Once we’re recording, their main task is to help the rest of the crew run smoothly and efficiently. And when the cameras turn off, these students work with the rest of the production team on the editing process.

Content Production student employee on set with band "Kitsch"

Administration

Our administration students are some of the first faces we see when we walk into the station every day. These students manage our front desk by greeting guests, answering phones and assisting you with any questions you may have. They record any donations we receive and deliver mail throughout the office. They help maintain a functional office by organizing paperwork and supplies but also cultivate our relationships with our dedicated community members and volunteers.

KAMU administration employee“I’ve always been a bit of an introvert, but working at KAMU has allowed me to interact with lots of different people and guests we have at the station. It has been so valuable to learn so much about working in an office environment.”


It is thanks to your generous support that we are able to continue offering our students these opportunities every school year. If you would like to help support our mission in molding the next generation of TV, radio and multimedia professionals, please consider donating here.

Join Us In Celebrating National Radio Day

As Aggieland’s Public Radio, we like to think that every day is radio day! But each year on Aug. 20, we can celebrate like that’s true, because for one day, it actually is. When you set your dial to 90.9 on your car radio, home stereo or listen live from your web browser, you give us the opportunity to do what we love: to bring our community together through local, regional and national public radio content.

To celebrate National Radio Day, we want to give you a behind-the-scenes look at the process of making a KAMU original radio show, highlighting every step a program takes to get from the studio to your ears.

Not familiar with some of our local FM programs? Visit our Local Shows, Series and Podcasts webpage to discover your new favorite. From unfamiliar campus jobs to politics and classic country tunes, we have something for whatever listening mood you’re in.

Getting Started

All of KAMU-FM’s original programs feature a local host. But some shows also include a new guest every episode! Programs like “The Heart of Art” with Hector Niño and “Brazos Matters” with Jay Socol require some preparation prior to showtime. These hosts conduct their own research into the topics listeners may be interested in. Once they find a good interview candidate to discuss the topic, they reach out and schedule a time for the interview. After all the logistics are worked out, it’s time for our favorite part… making the show!

5-4-3-2… and we’re live!

Here at KAMU, our FM studio hosts a wide variety of shows, including live and pre-recorded programs. But before every session, Radio Program Director Matt Dittman heads into the studio to check on all audio equipment. He does preliminary mic checks, makes sure the phone system is ready for any shows that involve listener call-ins (like “Garden Success“) and performs any other troubleshooting.

Matt Dittman in the KAMU-FM studio

When it’s time for the show, Matt greets the host or guest and brings them into the FM studio. They perform another series of mic checks, and Matt makes sure the host is supplied with things like a pen and paper or water. He then sets the time clock and faces it in a direction that the host can see. Since each program has to fit in a certain time frame, this clock helps the host keep track of where they are at in the show while recording. When everything is ready, Matt hits record and it’s off to the races!

Host of Garden Success in KAMU-FM studio

At the desk in the KAMU-FM studio

Throughout their time in the studio, Matt sits at the sound booth listening to the audio levels to make sure everyone sounds good for the whole show. He takes notes on important talking points that will help him write the episode description. He also checks in with the host, making sure they have plenty of water and are comfortable while recording. During a live show, Matt will also field any of the incoming calls from our listeners.

Once the show wraps up, Matt says goodbye to the host and heads back to his desk. He pulls up the recorded audio file on his computer and does some light editing. He’ll add in any music or introduction dialogue and triple checks that the audio sounds smooth and crisp. Once it is ready, Matt publishes the episode to our website and sends it to several streaming platforms so you can listen wherever you want!

Of all the special days our station celebrates every year, National Radio Day is one that is extra close to our hearts. It not only serves as a reminder of our love for radio but also allows us to thank YOU – our listeners – for your endless support. It is because of you that we can continue to bring this unique content to your headphones, stereos or computer speakers.

Please join us in celebrating this special day by tuning in to 90.9 KAMU-FM or listening to your favorite KAMU podcast on your preferred streaming platform. Or tell us why you love KAMU-FM! Visit this page to learn more about how you can show your appreciation by recording a personal statement that will air on our station.

Kids Corner: Come Join the Fun!

Finding safe and enriching online content for children can be a challenge. Introducing KAMU Kids Corner! Designed with the needs of both children and their grown-ups in mind, KAMU Kids Corner offers a unique blend of PBS KIDS entertainment and education.

KAMU Kids Corner is a space within KAMU’s website specifically curated for families, offering a wide array of content from educational games and videos to interactive stories and creative activities. Promoting Aggieland’s family-friendly events and exploring the wide world of PBS KIDS are just a couple of the features you can find here!

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KAMU Kids Corner Features

  1. Educational Content: Through KAMU Kids Corner, you have access to a variety of PBS KIDS educational resources! Fun online, educational games and interactive coloring sheets of your favorite characters are some of the ways kids can learn and grow at KAMU Kids Corner. Parents/guardians and teachers will find useful material for their homeschoolers and inquisitive kids here, too!
  2. PBS KIDS Programs: In addition to online educational resources, you’ll find all the PBS KIDS television programs KAMU-TV has to offer. The PBS KIDS TV schedule and a full list of kids’ programs can be found at KAMU Kids Corner. PBS KIDS presents a wide range of educational shows that align directly with childhood learning goals, ensuring that anything your kiddo watches on KAMU will be both entertaining and enriching!
  3. In The Community: At KAMU, we love nothing more than meeting YOU! We can be found at many family-friendly, kid-focused events in the Brazos Valley. At KAMU Kids Corner, take a look at some of the fun events we’ve attended and even request us at your event!

Visit KAMU Kids Corner today for the latest PBS KIDS content, community updates and more!
https://tx.ag/KAMUKidsCorner

Bob’s Your Uncle: The Best of British TV on Passport

British TV shows have long been popular in America. Is it the charm? The accents? The short seasons? Whatever the reason, KAMU Passport is your American home for many of the most popular British TV shows in recent memory. Some of these shows may surprise you — yes, they really are on Passport!

Join Passport today for just $5 a month or $60 a year. It’s our gift to you for supporting our mission of providing fun, educational and entertaining programming to the Brazos Valley. Who else gives you an entire streaming platform as a gift? Besides the shows listed below, enjoy around 1,000 episodes of your other PBS favorites.

Sherlock

Sherlock on Masterpiece

The inspiration for this list. All episodes of the beloved Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman-led detective drama are back on Passport! Receiving great acclaim for the quality of its writing, acting, and directing, the show is a perfect summertime binge. Settle in and discover the intricacies of this modern take on the Arthur Conan Doyle classics.

Watch All Episodes of “Sherlock” Now

Victoria

Victoria

“The Crown” is a routinely well-received royal family drama but it’s not the only one out there. You might want to check out “Victoria” on Passport, too. Starring Jenna Coleman (Clara Oswald on “Doctor Who”) as Queen Victoria, the show tracks her remarkable and emotional journey as she takes the throne as a teenager. Lush period details abound in all three seasons.

Watch All Episodes of “Victoria” Now

Poldark

MASTERPIECE Poldark
If “Outlander” is a bit… much… for you, “Poldark” is ready to capture your heart. This epic romance told over five swashbuckling seasons also features gorgeous scenery, charming and witty characters and a few haunting moments. Chemistry, ridiculousness, spirit, wild storylines: it’s “Poldark” — and we love it.

Watch All Episodes of “Poldark” Now

Les Misérables

No singing in this version! The epic masterpiece has been a musical, a movie and now this: an emotional six-episode adaptation filled with stars and standout performances. Critics raved for Dominic West (“The Crown,” “The Wire”), David Oyelowo (“Selma”), Lily Collins (“Emily in Paris”), Olivia Colman (“Broadchurch”) and more. The classic novel is faithfully retold in a way that requires popcorn, a comfy seat and a big box of tissues.

Watch All Episodes of “Les Misérables” Now

World on Fire

Masterpiece: World on Fire
“World on Fire” is an adrenalized, gripping World War II drama beloved by fans around the world. Recognized for its ensemble cast, the show follows the intertwining fates of those struggling with the effects of war on their everyday lives. Unfortunately, the series was not picked up for a third season, but you can still watch Seasons 1 and 2 now on Passport.

Watch All Episodes of “World on Fire” Now

Broadchurch

BROADCHURCH
Called “a bona fide national obsession” in the U.K., David Tennant and Olivia Colman are the keys to this critically acclaimed British detective drama. The mystery deliberately, slowly unfolds through great writing and terrific performances. It’s one of only two shows on this list with 90%+ ratings from both critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. Everyone is a suspect. Will the whole town’s secrets be exposed?

Watch All Episodes of “Broadchurch” Now

All Creatures Great and Small

Masterpiece All Creatures Great & Small - Welcome Home
This is our one unsurprising choice — you had to know this heartwarming fan favorite would be on the list. There may not be a cozier show on TV and you can binge it to your heart’s content on Passport. Follow the gregarious adventures of veterinarian James Herriot as he navigates romance, a thorny boss and scores of sick animals and their grouchy owners. The best part? The show isn’t going anywhere: “MASTERPIECE” recently renewed the show for two more seasons.

Watch All Episodes of “All Creatures Great and Small” Now

The Durrells in Corfu

MASTERPIECE - The Durrells in Corfu
We’ll forgive you if you haven’t heard of this show. The underrated gem actually boasts the highest Rotten Tomatoes ratings of any show on this list. Keeley Hawes stars as a young widow, struggling with life as a single parent along the British coast. Taking a massive risk, she moves her family to a Greek island to try to improve their lives. Humorous and authentic, moving and fun, watch the Durrell family grow up in front of your eyes in this touching series.

Watch All Episodes of “The Durrells in Corfu” Now

Why “Brazos Matters” Matters

KAMU works to consistently bring our viewers and listeners interesting and educational content. When you tune your radio to 90.9 KAMU-FM, you can count on us to keep you informed on current events from all over the globe. But are you curious to hear about who’s making an impact in your own backyard? Then look no further than “Brazos Matters.”

Brazos Matters” is an original KAMU-FM program that gives you a deeper look into the individuals who work hard to make Aggieland a safe and enjoyable place to live. Host Jay Socol welcomes guests from throughout the Brazos Valley who are dedicated to their work and to serving you.

You can listen to “Brazos Matters” any time on our website or your favorite podcast platform – Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Podcasts, the NPR app or YouTube. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

We caught up with Jay to learn more about the show, his passion for making it and its importance to the community.

Jay Socol on set of "Brazos Matters"

What was your inspiration for starting Brazos Matters?

Like all broadcast stations, KAMU needs to operate in the community’s interest. “Brazos Matters” is a way for us to do more of that, especially on FM, and it could eventually be expanded to the TV side of our operations. It allows us to visit with people from campus or the community to talk about issues that matter to the people who live and work in the Brazos Valley.

Why should people listen?

Too often we hear from local sources and experts in soundbites or brief quotes. On “Brazos Matters,” we get to have a 28-minute discussion with guests, which provides a pretty rare opportunity to really explore their work and why it matters. I don’t think that opportunity is available elsewhere in this community.

What are some important topics that you have covered on the show/impactful people you have met with?

One of my favorite conversations was with a representative of Texas A&M’s Counseling and Psychological Services (now known as University Health Services). That was particularly interesting to me because I have a college-aged son and am always concerned about his mental and physical well-being. Hearing what it’s like to work with students at the scale of a large university like this was fascinating to me. I learned about not only students’ most common struggles but also all of the resources that are available to them 24 hours a day.

I also learned a ton from representatives of local high schools who offer career technology education. I had no idea the depth and breadth of the professions and industries that are represented in those environments or the kinds of partnerships that exist with local businesses. It’s so extensive and so impressive, and it makes me hopeful about the generations that are coming up in terms of learning trades.

What is your preparation process?

I start by preparing questions, whether they’re my own or it’s a combination of mine and the ones the source would prefer that we get into. I will then write out a rough script. I generally script the show opening then have some questions in front of me, but I understand the conversation may organically go in another direction. So sometimes the questions that I have in front of me… I don’t even get to those.

Matt Dittman on set of "Brazos Matters"

What is it like on the day of the show?

I will escort each guest into the audio studio, get them seated, make sure the microphone is in the right place, and show them how headphones work. We both put on the headphones and will start talking casually. Program Director Matt Dittman runs the show, so he makes sure that audio levels are exactly where they need to be. He has the countdown clock set where we can see it. Then we give a small set of instructions, but I also tell them if you say something that you really want to redo, we can always do that. It is a very disarming environment and not a “gotcha” interview. And if the person happens to have a good sense of humor, we’re going to have some fun along the way. A great example of that was with former KBTX Meteorologist Shel Winkley. That conversation was really fun.

What makes the best interview?

The best interviews are the ones where I don’t look down at the paper very often. They’re just natural conversations and the time flies. Every once in a while, there is an interview that’s a little more difficult to stretch into that 28 minutes, but most of the time these conversations are pretty easy.

Jay Socol and guest Kelly Wellman on set of "Brazos Matters"

That’s a wrap! What now? 

Matt uploads the show recording into Adobe Audition. He trims the beginning and end and puts a little theme music under the beginning. He may adjust the levels a bit to make sure everything sounds as good as it can. If needed, he may edit out a door slam or some other extraneous sound. I always stay in the studio to chat with the guest once we’re done recording. By the time I say goodbye to the guest and walk back to my desk, Matt already has the show edited and posted to the website and podcast platforms.

What makes you passionate about the show?

I like learning new things. My first profession was as a journalist, and I learned new things every day through the stories I would cover and the sources I would talk to. My next profession was in government communications, where I would have to talk to people in my own city about all kinds of different things I didn’t know about. “Brazos Matters” gives me a chance to continue doing the very same thing.

Anything else to add, Jay?

I hope over time we are able to do more interviews more frequently. Right now, we have a small staff that is stretched pretty thin, but in time I hope to incorporate student hosts who can bring in their own guests and add to the frequency of episodes we can offer.

Have someone in mind for Jay to interview? Email him!

If anybody has a suggestion for a topic or guest, I’m happy to take those suggestions. They can email me at jaysocol@tamu.edu.

Garden Success With… A New Host!

Just as your garden sprouts anew, so too is “Garden Success.” July 2024 brings a new era to the popular KAMU-FM call-in gardening show, as longtime host Skip Richter passes the microphone to Stephen Brueggerhoff.

Skip points at Stephen and Stephen says "who me?"
– Stephen and Skip pictured on Skip’s last day as host.

We’re celebrating Skip and the impact he’s had on our airwaves and your gardens. And we’re welcoming Stephen to the team as the third-ever host of the program. Want to hear the episodes they’ve already co-hosted together? Visit our “Garden Success” page to listen to all archived episodes.

Thanks, Skip!

After ten years and nearly 500 episodes, Skip said goodbye during our June 27 episode.

“After 35 years with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and ten years of hosting the “Garden Success” radio show, I’ve retired to focus on other horticultural activities,” Skip said. “The show was one of the most enjoyable things I did during my Extension career.”

Skip and Stephen recording Skip's last episode.
– Skip talks to Stephen during Skip’s last recording of “Garden Success.”

Skip’s voice was first heard on KAMU-FM in 2014 after the initial host, Doug Welsh, retired. Doug was the first host of “Garden Success,” answering your questions from its debut in 2003 until his retirement.

And as “Garden Success” marks 21 years with the debut of a new host, Skip is confident Stephen is the perfect fit to take over.

“I cannot express strongly enough how excited I am that Stephen has agreed to become the Brazos County Extension horticulture agent and to host the “Garden Success” radio show,” Skip said. “Show listeners will really appreciate his horticultural knowledge and kind demeanor. We are all very fortunate to have Stephen Brueggerhoff in Brazos County!”

Thank you, Skip! We wish you a very happy retirement… and the guest chair on “Garden Success” is open for you anytime.

Meet Stephen

Stephen Brueggerhoff started as the Brazos County extension agent for horticulture in April. He brings years of experience to the role and tells us he’s excited to serve residents across the county with their horticulture needs.

Stephen Brueggerhoff

Stephen says he’s been a personal and professional friend of Skip for years. He comes to Brazos County from Galveston County, where he served as their horticulture extension agent for two-and-a-half years. Other previous roles include county extension agent in Brazoria County, outreach manager at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin and nursery manager.

He earned his bachelor’s in horticulture from Sam Houston State University. He left Texas to earn a master’s from the University of Washington but says he “high-tailed it back as soon as I could.”

You’ll see Stephen around the county helping residents improve their gardening skills, holding educational programs, working with the Brazos County Master Gardeners — and now hosting “Garden Success.” He has a particular interest in home fruit production, especially figs. Calling them an “impulse buy,” Stephen grows eight different fig varieties in his backyard. He also enjoys growing blueberries and citrus, and says, yes, citrus can be grown in Brazos County – ask him how!

Knowing the ins and outs of trees is his next goal as he’s actively earning an arborist certification. When he’s not at work, he enjoys gardening at home and playing music.

Listen to the Show

KAMU local show, Garden Success.

The host is the only thing that’s changing about “Garden Success.” You can still listen every Thursday from noon-1 p.m. on 90.9 KAMU-FM. And you can still ask your questions by calling 979-845-5689 or emailing gardensuccess@tamu.edu.

Stephen’s first solo show as the new host takes place on July 4. We hope you’ll listen and welcome Stephen to the KAMU-FM family! If you can’t listen live, remember you can listen to all past episodes on our “Garden Success” page or on your favorite podcast platform, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and iHeart Podcasts.

Aggie Chef Showdown: Aggieland’s Cooking Competition

In partnership with:
Aggie Dining

Aggieland now has its own cooking competition! “Aggie Chef Showdown” is now available to stream anytime on KAMU’s YouTube channel.

“Aggie Chef Showdown” brings together KAMU and Aggie Dining for a mouthwatering exploration of cooking at Texas A&M University. In this 30-minute special, watch as four of Aggie Dining’s best chefs compete to decide who has the best recipe. Will the winning dish be an elevated play on shrimp and grits? How about deconstructed enchiladas? Maybe Indonesian fried rice and pork skewers? Or will it be Maryland-style crab cakes?

Plus, after watching “Aggie Chef Showdown,” you can make the recipes yourself! Keep reading to learn more about trying your hand in the kitchen.

We put this competition together as a companion to “The Great American Recipe,” a PBS cooking show now in its third season. Watch Mondays at 8 p.m. on KAMU beginning June 17 and read on to learn more about the show.

  1. Watch “Aggie Chef Showdown”
  2. Meet the Chefs
  3. Make the Featured Recipes
  4. Learn More About Aggie Dining
  5. What is “The Great American Recipe”?
  6. Photo Gallery

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Watch Aggie Chef Showdown

With a focus on family and the emotions of gathering to share a meal, the chefs bring the flavors of their childhood and share recipes that remind them of home. With an hour on the clock and three hungry judges waiting, which dish will win?

Stream the competition now!

The competition is free to stream on our YouTube channel at any time. Or watch on June 17 at 9 p.m. on KAMU-TV.


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Meet the Chefs

Aggie Dining put four of its best chefs to the test in this competition. Get to know them here!

Chef Demetrius

Demetrius Williams

Executive Sous Chef, Aggie Dining Catering
Chef Demetrius cooks because it’s a way for him to serve others and make them happy. Cooking wasn’t always his passion, but after going to vocational culinary school, he never looked back. “We didn’t always have a lot of food growing up,” Chef Demetrius said, “so I know what a good meal means to people.” On campus, Chef Demetrius works in catering, making food for hundreds of events a year.

Chef Leo

Leo Lozano

Executive Chef, Aggie Dining Catering
Chef Leo has been cooking for 20 years and loves how culture can be shown through food. “Cooking says a lot about your personality,” Chef Leo said. “It’s very expressive.” He got into cooking by watching his mom do a lot with simple staples like rice and beans. Today, he’s the head chef of campus catering operations, serving thousands of people a year.

Chef Ray

Ray Soendjaya

Executive Chef, Commons Dining Hall
Chef Ray represents residential dining in this competition. His cooking journey started as a seven-year-old in Indonesia, experimenting with meals for he and his brother. As a teen, he loved Wendy’s curly fries, but didn’t have enough money to buy them. “So I got a job there and got free fries every night – I loved it!” Chef Ray said. He hasn’t worked in any other industry since and loves to bring the diverse flavors of his home country to his food.

Chef Will

Will Weaver

Executive Sous Chef, Texas A&M Athletics Performance Nutrition
Chef Will brings a taste of Maryland to College Station. As a child, he learned how to cook by watching his mom. “Our family always came together over food,” Chef Will said. “It meant a lot.” Lessons from his mom made him fall in love with cooking and he decided to go to culinary school. After he graduated, he found himself at A&M, where today he feeds athletes as part of the performance nutrition team.


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Make the Featured Recipes

Each chef brought their love for cooking to the competition — and some nostalgic flavors. The recipe each chef chose reminded them of home and family.


Download a blank version of this recipe card to fill out yourself!

After watching “Aggie Chef Showdown,” make the recipes for yourself! Chefs Demetrius, Leo, Ray and Will shared their flavors with the judges and now they’re sharing them with you.

Chef Demetrius' Scallops and Polenta.

Scallops and Polenta

Shrimp and grits… but elevated. Chef Demetrius brought familial flavors to his dish, including topping things off with a nod to his Grandmother’s Sweet Potato Casserole.

Make Chef Demetrius' Scallops and Polenta

Chef Leo's Deconstructed Chicken Enchiladas.

Deconstructed Chicken Enchiladas

Rice and beans were staples for Chef Leo growing up and he elevates those ingredients in his deconstructed dish. There are a TON of flavors here to enjoy.

Make Chef Leo's Deconstructed Chicken Enchiladas

Chef Ray's Indonesian Fried Rice and Pork Skewers.

Indonesian Fried Rice and Pork Skewers

Traditional Indonesian components are at play for Chef Ray. Pork skewers were his favorite as a child and he reproduces them here. A runny-yolk fried egg takes this dish over the top.

Make Chef Ray's Indonesian Fried Rice and Pork Skewers

Chef Will's Crab Cakes.

Crab Cakes and Succotash

If you want these these crab cakes to truly be Maryland-style, get ready to buy a lot of crab! But feel free to adjust the ratio of crab to cracker to fit your budget: you’ll get a great crab cake regardless.

Make Chef Will's Maryland-Style Crab Cakes and Succotash

 

Let us know how your cooking adventures go! Please send us your photos on social media: find us on Facebook, X and Instagram.


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Learn More About Aggie Dining

Aggie Dining serves thousands of meals to hungry students, faculty and staff every day, across three dining halls and more than 50 restaurants, food trucks and express stops. If you eat on campus, you’re eating the work of Aggie Dining.

Great care is put into each ingredient, component and dish, all made by dedicated chefs. Options to accommodate all allergies and special diets are always available. And sustainability is constantly considered.

Flexible meal plans are available to meet your needs and all NEW plans are coming for the fall semester. Tasty new meals are served daily — so try something new! For more information about meal plans, dining hours and more, visit Aggie Dining’s webpage.


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What is “The Great American Recipe”?

PBS celebrates what makes American food unique and iconic, as Season 3 of “The Great American Recipe” debuts this summer on KAMU. Eight talented home cooks from across the country bring their love for food, their unique regional flavors and lots of heart and soul. It’s a show about treasured recipes and signature dishes — but the most important ingredient is the people who share them. Watch on Mondays at 8 p.m. beginning June 17.

Host Alejandra Ramos is joined by returning judge Tiffany Derry and new judges Tim Hollingsworth and Francis Lam. They bring professional insights and deep culinary knowledge to encourage and support the contestants.

Watch this preview to learn what’s cooking on Season 3:

 

Want to catch up on Seasons 1 and 2 before the new season airs? Stream both seasons for free on PBS.org until June 17. After that, join KAMU Passport to keep watching or explore recipes from previous seasons and bring unique regional flavors into your kitchen.


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Aggie Chef Showdown Photo Gallery

Finally, we took lots of great pictures of the kitchen action. Scroll through our photo gallery to see what our crew saw during filming.

Aggie Chef Showdown chefs pose for a group photo.
– The chefs pose for a group photo before the competition.

Chefs Demetrius and Leo begin cooking.
– Chefs Demetrius and Leo begin cooking.

Chef Demetrius puts the finishing touches on his plate.– Chef Demetrius puts the finishing touches on his plates.

Chef Demetrius wipes off his plates.– Chef Demetrius wipes his finished plates.

Chefs Leo and Demetrius pose with their finished dishes.– Chefs Demetrius and Leo pose with their finished plates.

The judges pose for a group photo.– Judges Chelsea, Wade and Megan pose at the tasting table.

Chefs Ray and Will begin cooking.– Chefs Will and Ray begin cooking.

Chef Will mixes his sauce.– Chef Will mixes his sauce.

Chef Ray places fried eggs on top of his finished dish.– Chef Ray places fried eggs on top of his dish.

Chefs Will and Ray pose with their finished dishes.– Chefs Will and Ray pose with their finished dishes.

Aggie Chef Showdown chefs pose for a group photo at the end of the competition.– The chefs pose for a group photo after cooking.

All Aggie Chef Showdown chefs pose with their finished dishes.– All four chefs pose with their finished dishes.


Thank you for watching “Aggie Chef Showdown!” If you want to be among the first to hear about new content from KAMU TV and FM, subscribe to our free monthly email newsletter today. And if you’d like to support our mission of providing fun, educational programming like this to the Brazos Valley, click here to donate.

Spend Your Summer with PBS LearningMedia

After a long school year, many students may switch out their backpacks and pencils for swimsuits and sunglasses. Even though soaking in that summer sun is one of our favorite activities, we also believe that learning doesn’t necessarily have to be left behind in the classroom. Here at KAMU, we are passionate about providing educational programs that inspire our viewers and listeners to embark on their own learning adventures every day. With PBS LearningMedia, kids in grades K-12 can play interactive educational games, complete structured lesson plans and learn alongside some of their favorite PBS KIDS characters. We compiled some of our favorite resources here, but you can visit PBS LearningMedia for dozens more to explore.

    1. Grades PreK-2
    2. Grades 3-5
    3. Grades 6-8
    4. Grades 9-12
    5. For Educators of All Grades

Grades PreK-2

Lessons for students PreK-2nd grade

Neighborhood Notebook (Full Episode) | Alma's Way | PBS LearningMedia

Learn ASL

Learn American Sign Language with some of your favorite PBS KIDS characters. In this program, episodes of popular PBS KIDS programs feature an ASL interpreter in the bottom corner of screens for students to follow along with. PreK and Kindergarten students can watch episodes of “Donkey Hodie” and “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” with the sign language interpreter. For slightly older learners, first and second graders can also learn ASL while watching episodes of “Alma’s Way.”

Reading Buddies

This program from Reading League’s “Reading Buddies” provides dozens of videos for young readers to learn the alphabet. Watch as Dusty, Dott and Alphabott teach readers how to sound out each letter of the alphabet while also demonstrating how to draw the letter with their invisible paint brush. You can also watch full episodes of Reading Buddies here.

Classroom Connection – Math

Learn all about shapes, patterns and numbers in this collection of math lessons from Classroom Connection. Containing instructional videos from 10-12 minutes long, young learners can practice their early math and geometry skills with real elementary school teachers. Want to advance your summer learning? This collection contains math lessons for students all the way through 5th grade.

You, Me & Community

In this unique program from PBS LearningMedia, lessons in civics, government, history and geography are broken down into perfect bite-sized instructional videos for young learners. Travel the globe with the crew from “Let’s Go Luna,” learn about voting from “Arthur” and friends or even watch as “Peg + Cat” visit a bank for the first time.

Stem with Stu

Lyla Loop’s unique sidekick, Stu, is here to teach you all things STEM! Learn skills in decomposition, human computer systems or even design processes. Each printable instruction card or online interactive lesson contains fun games that are designed to help students think outside the box (or outside the loop, that is!).

Grades 3-5

Lessons for students 3rd-5th grade

Cyberchase: Math | Cyberchase: Math | PBS LearningMedia

Learn Math with Cyberchase

Join the Cybersquad for a jam-packed collection that exercises math and problem-solving skills. Learn along with Matt, Inez, Jackie and the Cyberchase crew in these quick, 2-4 minute videos or in provided lesson documents. The collection is divided into sections that focus on basic algebra, measurement, geometry and more.

Junior Scientist Maker Program

Looking for some hands-on learning activities? Look no further than the Junior Scientist Maker Program. In this five-part series, learn the necessary skills required to be a scientist. Practice asking questions, problem solving, collecting data and communicating. What new discoveries will you make today?

No Nonsense Grammar

Reading is a skill that we are always practicing, but now it is time to put the pencil to paper and practice some grammar. In the “No Nonsense Grammar” collection, choose from dozens of videos that teach young writers about all things grammar, including independent and dependent clauses, sentence structure, tenses, spelling and more. Each lesson is a less than one-minute video that contains fun and interactive activities.

Grades 6-8

Lessons for students 6th-8th grade

Ken Burns in the Classroom | PBS LearningMedia

Ken Burns in the Classroom

Ken Burns has brought award winning documentaries to television screens for decades. Now, dive deep into history with “Ken Burns Classroom,” a PBS LearningMedia collection that houses each of his impactful films and series. Organized by era, go back in time to learn about our founding fathers, watch intricate retellings of both world wars or even take a look into the history of today.

History of the Earth

The “History of the Earth” collection takes students through the evolution of our planet. Focusing on geology, weather and climate, see how the earth has changed over time. With jaw-dropping visuals and unique cinematography, each short video or interactive lesson will leave students even more curious about the world around them.

Professional Development – Career Spotlights

Have you ever wondered what the careers of tomorrow could be? In “Career Spotlights,” learn about the different jobs that exist in renewable energy and biotechnology. Discover what it takes to become a marine biologist, a geneticist or even a mechatronics engineer. With an ever-changing world of endless possibilities, these videos shed some light on what opportunities exist for rising students of today.

Grades 9-12

Lessons for students 9th-12th grade

Dulé Hill's New Series on Artists and Communities | THIRTEEN - New York Public Media

Power of Art to Create Change

In the documentary series “The Express Way with Dulé Hill,” a diverse range of artists join together to discuss the power of art in bringing about social change. In this mini-series of lessons, students are encouraged to engage in meaningful discussions that spark new ideas as “artivists.” The program includes instructional videos, worksheets and teaching resources.

NOVA Science Studio – Journalism

NOVA Science Studio is a PBS LearningMedia program that strives to educate students on how to tell their own scientific stories. Students can develop their journalism skills through this collection of in-depth curricula, which can be used as foundational learning throughout the summer and even continued into the new school year. Each section of lesson plans works on building research skills, reporting, video production and more.

For Educators of All Grade Levels

Helpful resources for educators of all grades

Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids | Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids | PBS LearningMedia

Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids

This resource from the Child Mind Institute teaches students skills for better understanding themselves, others and the world around them. With a curriculum suited for grades 3-12, students can watch educational videos and complete worksheets that encourage them to think deeper about their own emotions, thoughts and feelings. By the end of the program, students will be better equipped to manage stress or intense emotions and improve their own decision making. All activities are also available in Spanish.

Exploraciones – Teaching Spanish

The “Exploraciones” program is designed for educators teaching Spanish to grade levels K-8. The collection contains engaging activities and easy to follow instructional videos. Play interactive games or even plan out your own curriculum with provided lesson plans.

This Old House: Through the Decades

“This Old House” is the longest-running home improvement show on PBS. Each season features one to three whole-house renovations with in-depth instructions walking viewers through each step of the construction process.  

Season 45 is airing now on Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. Tune in to watch the renovations of the Lexington Modern and Glen Ridge Generational houses. The owners of the Lexington Modern, a 1960s Massachusetts house, are looking to modernize and expand the home to make it more accessible for their son. Meanwhile, the Glen Ridge, New Jersey home is being restored to its Victorian-era glory while making room for generations to come.  

With almost 90 home renovations over the past 45 years, “This Old House” continues to be a fan favorite — and now the only place to watch it on traditional TV is on PBS stations like KAMU.  

1980s 

Original host and contractor of This Old House in 1979

  • “This Old House” debuted in 1979. The home improvement show’s first host was builder and designer Bob Vila, who hosted the program from 1979-1989. Season 1 focused solely on the renovation of The Dorchester House, a Victorian-style home in Dorchester, Massachusetts, and was the project that started it all.   
  • A year later, “This Old House” went from being a locally-aired program to a national one. The 13-episode season walked viewers through the home renovation process from start to finish with each episode focusing on a different aspect of the home.   
  • The first decade of “This Old House” produced 11 seasons, with Season 11 ending in September 1989. 

1990s 

This Old House contractors standing in front of UK flag

  • The next decade of “This Old House” kicked off with the renovation of an 1895 house in New Orleans and the Jamaica Plain House, a triple-decker home turned into rental apartments in collaboration with Boston’s Public Facilities Department.  
  • This season also introduced a new host, Steve Thomas, an author and builder who hosted the show through the ’90s and into the early 2000s.  
  • In 1992, “This Old House” tackled its first international renovation, further expanding its reach and popularity by fixing up a flat in London.   
  • In 1995 the “This Old House” magazine hit the stands and published new issues eight times a year. The archive of the “This Old House” magazine can now be accessed digitally by This Old House Insider members.

2000s 

Cast of "Ask This Old House"

  • The early 2000s introduced viewers to two spin-off shows aiming to reach more homeowners.  
  • Ask This Old House” first aired in 2002 and was inspired by the “This Old House” magazine. The spin-off is still going strong, and is currently airing Season 22.  
  • A second spin-off show titled “Inside This Old House” aired from 2003-2004. This program expanded on topics covered in “This Old House” episodes and provided commentary on past projects.   
  • 2003 also introduced current host of “This Old House” and host of both spin-off shows, Kevin O’Connor.

2010s 

Generation NEXT apprentices at construction site

  • 2016 brought about the Generation NEXT apprenticeship program. This program aimed to raise money for scholarships and awareness about skilled labor shortages. Apprentices from the program have made appearances in Seasons 39, 41 and 42.   
  • In 2017 the franchise aired yet another spin-off show, “This Old House: Trade School.” The program aired three seasons from 2017-2020. “TOH: Trade School” focused on vocational education in the field of home renovation featuring step-by-step instructions and detailed demonstrations.  
  • In 2019 the franchise launched “Clearstory,” a podcast aimed to shed light on the stories behind the homes featured on the TV program. The name of the podcast is a play on clerestory windows, which shed light onto a space.  

2020s

House being rebuilt after wildfires

  • Season 41 and the start of the current decade of “This Old House” began with a series of home reconstructions following the 2018 California wildfires. Homeowners in Paradise, California had to wait a year before they could rebuild their homes. Three homeowners and their families made it their mission to rebuild their homes despite the challenges.   
  • Season 42 started off with a special four-part series titled “Behind the Build.” This series focuses on the craftspeople, designs and manufacturers that bring old homes new life.  
  • In 2022, master carpenter Norm Abram’s 43-year career came to an end. In honor of his retirement, “This Old House” released a one-hour tribute titled “The House That Norm Built” featuring archive footage, highlights and memories from colleagues. 
  • The newest addition to the “This Old House” franchise was introduced just this year. The new spin-off show “Dime Cómo Hacerlo,” or the Spanish version of “Ask This Old House,” launched in April and aims to teach homeowners everything they need to know to successfully renovate their homes. 

The next season of “This Old House” begins Oct. 2, but in the meantime scroll through finished projects from previous seasons here.  You can also catch up on past episodes of the Clearstory podcast here and visit the seasonal checklist for monthly tips and tricks on keeping your home up to date

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