What better way to wash down Rio’s pre-Olympics media frenzy than with a serving of cabrito and an ice-cold glass of chope? Or maybe an açaí smoothie with a plate of Romeu e Julieta? Well, luckily for those of us who don’t happen to be soaking in the Olympic spirit down in Rio right now, Travel Channel host Andrew Zimmern has prepared a Brazilian feast for the eyes to inaugurate his brand new series Driven By Food.
The latest series from the chef and culinary explorer behind Bizarre Foods finds Zimmern taxiing through global food destinations like Rio, Bangkok, and Hyderabad, relying on universal cabbie wisdom to dig deep into local food culture. Appropriately, Zimmern has decided to open his new endeavor with a Rio de Janeiro episode that will air smack dab in the middle of the 2016 Olympics.
The episode will take Zimmern from the bustling CADEG market to Prainha Beach, Copacabana, and just about everywhere else in between. Along the way the Manhattan-native will savor classics like feijoada and picanha, along with seafood staples like bacalhau fritters, octupus rice, and shrimp bobo. Just reading about it is enough to make your mouth water, but the show promises to bring some enticing visuals along with a Zimmern’s one-of-a-kind charisma and feel for local cultures.
Driven By Food premieres Tuesday, August 16 at 9 p.m. on The Travel Channel.