Table for 92—Cooking Through the Periodic Table of Elements

When Thor Giese whips up a meal, the periodic table of elements is inspiration. Yes, the same periodic table from high school chemistry.

“Science is a way to help make sense of the world,” says the trained archaeologist. “I believe the fundamental order of the universe can be explained in the periodic table of elements. Many elements are found in the foods we eat every day, while others are found in the way food is processed and preserved.”

The relationship between food and science led Giese to launch “Table for 92—Cooking Through the Periodic Table of Elements,” a series of YouTube videos to help viewers better understand the elements “while having a great time—and making a lot of fire.”

Episodes are produced at the NJ native’s home in Clinton Township using an outdoor kitchen equipped with a fire pit, asado grill, and rock oven. Though 118 elements are found on the table, only 92 are naturally occurring (the remaining 16 are created in laboratories) and Giese explores one natural element in each episode, including an explanation of the element, its history, and its relationship to food and people, while also demonstrating a related recipe.

In episode #2, the story of helium gives us reason to cook up the British classic dish fish and chips while learning that helium makes up almost 23 percent of the entire universe. In #20, we discover why calcium is so essential to human health, and how to make fried cheese curds with special sauce. As of press time, Giese has released episode #27, featuring cobalt, paired with liverwurst and clams. More episodes are in inventory and production is expected to be complete next spring.

Giese’s style is clear, personable, and entertaining, similar to his award-winning series “Thor’s Outdoor Science Academy.” An avid hunter, fisherman, forager, and gardener, Giese worked in restaurants while attending college, likely one of the reasons why he seems to have as easy a time with food preparation as he does with explaining scientific theories. Episodes range from four to eight minutes in length and are well-suited to both teens and adults.

A companion cookbook is in the works and Giese hopes to find an outlet for a long-form version of the show. Until then, find “Table for 92” on YouTube and connect with food and science

• YouTube @tablefor92