HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT

Walker Hayes on his "Fancy Like" success

The song "Fancy Like" put Walker Hayes on the top of the country charts – and put Applebee's on the tip of almost everyone's tongue. Correspondent Lee Cowan talks with Hayes, a married father of six, whose life was a long, sometimes painful journey to double-platinum success.

The Automat: When restaurants were coin-operated

For much of the 20th century the Automat was a destination restaurant – a gleaming, coin-operated self-service eatery, whose chrome doors opened to reveal comfort foods to match Mom's cooking. Correspondent Mo Rocca talks with Lisa Hurwitz, director of a nostalgic new documentary about Horn & Hardart's chain of cafeterias; and with Broadway star Chita Rivera, who fondly remembers her days as a dance student, when the Automat was a home away from home.

Tradition and tacos at the Mitla Café

During the Depression, Doña Lucia Rodriguez opened the doors of the Mitla Café in San Bernardino, Calif., along old Route 66, because she didn't want her family members to go hungry. Since then, the Mexican restaurant has fed generations from all walks of life, and served as a gathering spot for community organizing. Correspondent Lilia Luciano steps inside the family-run business that also served as an inspiration for another notable establishment, Taco Bell.

Visit the real birthplace of ranch dressing

In the mountains above Santa Barbara, Steve Henson created an Eisenhower-era delight that would take the country by storm: Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing, America's most popular salad dressing, is a creamy success story that lately has found new fame on social media. But it comes from a place that looks very different from the one on the bottle. Correspondent Luke Burbank talks to Alan Barker, a documentary filmmaker, who worked and lived at the original Hidden Valley Ranch, delving into the dressing's history and the real "ranch" behind Hidden Valley.

"The Humans," one family's Thanksgiving dramatics

The new movie "The Humans," adapted from the Tony Award-winning play, is a story familiar to any family that has gathered together for a bumpy holiday celebration. Correspondent Tracy Smith gathered together the film's stars – Steven Yeun, Beanie Feldstein, Jayne Houdyshell, Richard Jenkins, and Amy Schumer (also the star of a Food Network show) – to find out what they are most grateful for.

What happens to ugly fruit and produce?

Not everything that farmers grow is cosmetically perfect. But rather than let produce with noticeable imperfections go to waste, companies like Misfits Market will bring previously unwanted produce directly to your door. Correspondent Serena Altschul reports.

The secret behind bodega coffee

Khalid Sharafi and Omar Haimed's Brooklyn bodega will sell you a cup of Colombian coffee, for $1.50. But in the back, they brew for themselves what they call the world's best coffee, from Yemen. Correspondent Jim Axelrod learns why Yemeni beans have such a passionate following – and, from coffee merchant Ibrahim Alhasbani, of Qahwah House, why they have such a huge price tag.

Special delivery: Goldbelly's nationwide restaurant service

Restaurants that struggled during the pandemic found a lifeline in the food delivery service Goldbelly, which ships regional cuisine nationally. Correspondent Serena Altschul talked with Goldbelly founder and CEO Joe Ariel about the logistics of delivering orders to customers across the country; and with the owners of restaurants, like the Chicago-area Bartolini's, about how Goldbelly's team helped cook up a way to ship their signature pizzas and meatballs.

Taste testing with artificial intelligence

For centuries, master tasters have helped design the flavors of our favorite foods, wines, coffees and teas. But can artificial intelligence replace human taste-testing? Correspondent Roxana Saberi checks out cutting-edge technologies that represent a new flavor of AI.

Meet the water sommelier

Martin Riese is America's first certified water sommelier, who studies the subtle flavors of bottled water, and prepares menus pairing specific brands with foods. Correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti sits down with Riese to discuss his unique palate, and his thirst for spreading the word on water.

T-Pain: Grammy-winner, bartender

The Grammy-winning performer, whose hits include "Bartender" and "Blame It (On The Alcohol)," now has a book of cocktail recipes: "Can I Mix You a Drink? 50 Cocktails From My Life & Career." "Sunday Morning" contributor Kelefa Sanneh sits down with T-Pain, who mixes up a "5 O'Clock" (what he calls "a grown-up milkshake") and talks about his inspirations for libations.

Nature: Turkeys of Ohio (Extended Video)

"Sunday Morning" takes us to Metroparks Toledo, in Ohio, where wild turkeys are keeping a low profile. Videographer: Alex Goetz.

"Sunday Morning" 2021 "Food Issue" recipe index

Delicious menu suggestions from top chefs and mixologists, cookbook authors, food writers, restaurateurs, and the editors of New York Times Cooking.

Thanksgiving menu suggestions from New York Times Cooking

Turkey, all the sides, and, yes, pies! Recipes from the writers and editors of The New York Times, specially selected for "Sunday Morning" viewers.

Watch the full Nov. 21 broadcast!

Hosted by Jane Pauley.