Taylor Sheridan’s hit series Landman has become widely known for its iconic dinner scenes, and actress Paulina Chávez, who plays Ariana, is sharing some behind-the-scenes secrets about these memorable moments. In an exclusive conversation with Us Weekly, Chávez, 23, expressed her gratitude for the delicious food featured on the show, revealing just how enjoyable it is to be a part of these dinners on set.

“It’s super cool,” Chávez said, reflecting on her experiences during filming. “And I’m so grateful that the food is actually really good.” She explained that the food served during these dinner scenes was real and truly delicious, adding, “It was really spicy too.” For Chávez, the authenticity of the meals helped bring a sense of realism to her scenes and added a layer of enjoyment to her time on set. However, she also joked about the challenges that came with filming these scenes, particularly the repetitive nature of eating the same food for multiple takes.

“There does come a point where you’re like, ‘Dang, maybe I shouldn’t have eaten so much in the first takes,’” she continued. “Now I have to eat that much and continue to eat that much for hours.” She shared that on days where dinner scenes were filmed, the cast would often skip lunch to save room for the multiple takes of the dinner scenes. Despite the challenge, Chávez said it was well worth it for the final product.

Landman, which premiered in 2024, centers around the West Texas oil industry. The series follows Tommy Norris, a corporate fixer played by Billy Bob Thornton, who works for an oil tycoon. The show delves into the complex relationships within the Norris family, including Tommy’s wife Angela (Ali Larter), their daughter Ainsley (Michelle Randolph), son Cooper (Jacob Lofland), and Tommy’s father T.L. (Sam Elliott). Additionally, coworkers-turned-roommates Dale (James Jordan) and Nathan (Colm Feore) round out the household. As the series progresses, the dynamics of the Norris family dinners evolve, especially after Cooper falls in love with Ariana. In one of the later episodes, Tommy joins his son and Ariana at their dinner table, marking a significant change in the family’s mealtime traditions.

Chávez reminisced about a particular scene where her character Ariana was preparing a soup, a dish she learned was popular in Central Mexico. “I didn’t even know about this certain soup that she was making [in the scene], but I know that it’s very popular in Central Mexico,” she recalled. However, there was a unique twist for this particular scene—Billy Bob Thornton, who plays Tommy Norris, is vegan, so the soup prepared for the scene had to be entirely vegetarian. Chávez noted that despite the dish being vegetarian, it still packed a punch with its spiciness.

The actress spoke fondly of how the dinner scenes on Landman reflect the importance of food, particularly in Hispanic culture. “In the Hispanic community, we always make sure that the people who are at home with us are taken care of and we make sure that they eat,” she explained. “That’s how we say, ‘I love you.’ It’s, ‘Do you want to eat? You should eat something. I have food. I’m going to make you a plate.’” The portrayal of food as an expression of love is central to many of the show’s family dinner scenes, and Chávez appreciated how it showcased this deeply ingrained cultural value.

Looking ahead to season 3, Chávez wasn’t sure what to expect regarding more family gatherings. However, after Ariana’s engagement to Cooper, she felt it would make sense for her character to join the legendary Norris family dinners. “I can’t wait to be a part of one of those family dinners,” she said. “I hope that Ariana gets to cohost [with Angela] and makes it super spicy.” She even joked that Ariana’s cooking would send Dale running to the bathroom due to its intensity.

As for what meal she would love to see Angela prepare for her future daughter-in-law, Chávez suggested Mediterranean or Italian cuisine. She recalled the first family dinner in season 1, where Angela introduced a three-meat bolognese—featuring wild boar. Chávez’s pitch for a future meal was met with excitement, as she envisioned a culinary experience that would bring even more spice and flavor to the table.

Chávez’s love for food extends beyond Landman and is deeply rooted in her Hispanic heritage. Off-screen, she will be the face of the National Pork Board’s new campaign, Explora Todo El Gusto Del Pork. The campaign aims to highlight how food serves as a vehicle for cultural expression, and Chávez is excited to share her culture through the foods she loves. “This comes at a time where it’s such a fun way to show people our culture and in the way we love through food,” she explained. “Pork is something that is a big staple in our dishes that we make and I feel like this is just going to pay homage to all the Latinas that have come before us and our grandmas.”

Chávez also spoke about her family’s culinary traditions, sharing how her sister worked with their grandmother to create a cookbook featuring some of their favorite recipes. “My top favorite is pozole,” she said. “It’s a stew, and it’s just so yummy and it’s just comfort food.” In addition to pozole, the family also makes tamales rojos every year, along with a dish called chilucas. These meals are more than just food to Chávez; they represent her heritage and the love shared within her family.

When it comes to the best meals, Chávez insists that nothing compares to her mother’s cooking. “My mom’s cooking is superior,” she said with a smile. “I just love being home.” While she does enjoy cooking when necessary, nothing beats the comfort and warmth of her mother’s home-cooked meals.

As Landman continues to stream on Paramount+, Chávez’s behind-the-scenes revelations offer fans a deeper look into the iconic dinner scenes that have become a hallmark of the show. Through her role on Landman and her personal connection to food and culture, Chávez highlights the power of food as a universal symbol of love, family, and tradition.