Archeologist and chef Thor Giese prepares all his Table for 92 meals from his outdoor kitchen in Clinton. Photo: Anne Thornton
As students struggle to learn the periodic table, one Hunterdon County educator aims to make the subject a little more digestible—in more ways than one.
Archeologist, educator and part-time chef Thor Giese began his YouTube series, Table for 92: Cooking Through the Periodic Table of Elements, roughly 2 1/2 years ago. With one episode for each of the 92 naturally occurring elements, Giese attempts to bridge the gap between culinary delights and science. “While Table for 92 is about the elements, it’s really about the entire universe and how we occupy it,” he says.
Dishes he’s prepared for the show include lemon-pepper chicken, because of the high concentration of hydrogen ions in lemon juice, and a Jersey-style meat-lover’s pizza, because of the high amount of zinc found in pepperoni and ham. All are made in the outdoor kitchen of his Clinton backyard.
While not every naturally occurring element is found in food, they’re often integral parts of processing, packaging and preparation. Beyond a basic chemistry lesson, in each episode Giese delves into the history of the element’s discovery, its significance in food, and its importance to humans.
Giese has won three Telly Awards. Beneath his humor lies a deep devotion to education and the scientific method. “I’ve spent so much of my life trying to absorb so much information and understand the world around me, and I almost feel obligated to put this information back out there,” Giese says.
“I’ve always liked telling stories, and there’s nothing better than telling stories that are true.”
Giese’s work can be viewed on his YouTube channel, “Thor’s Outdoor Science Academy” and by visiting his website.
[RELATED: Meet the Elusive Jersey Chef Who Is an Underground Foodie Phenom]
No one knows New Jersey like we do. Sign up for one of our free newsletters here. Want a print magazine mailed to you? Purchase an issue from our online store.