Throughout the years, WBGU-PBS
has brought you many documentaries
with many interesting ideas, but
possibly never one as unique as this
one: ketchup.

“Ketchup is one of the few cultural glues in this country,” says WBGU-PBS producer/director Tom Zapiecki. “But everyone takes ketchup for granted, and most people don’t know anything about it. Ketchup actually has a very interesting history!”

This Emmy award-winning documentary provides a light-hearted, yet accurate account of the history of ketchup and delves into little known facts about the development of ketchup as a condiment. Originating in 17th Century China, the condiment has taken many forms and has spread to almost every continent today.

This 30-minute program introduces you to an avid ketchup collector from Detroit, takes you to the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle, in Collinsville, Illinois, and gives you an inside tour of the H.J. Heinz Co. plant in Fremont, Ohio, producer of more than 4 million 14-ounce bottles of ketchup each day. The featured boxing match between ketchup and salsa was a favorite among condiments attending. Ketchup dukes it out with salsa in an attempt to defend its title as “King Of Condiments.”

“I hope people will have fun when they watch the program,”
Zapiecki adds, “And take away a little knowledge that will amaze their friends.”

A production of WBGU-PBS in Bowling Green, Ohio, Ketchup: King Of Condiments is being distributed nationally by American Public Television (APT).

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