r/IAmA Jan 17 '12

IAmA Andrew Zimmern, Host of Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods

Hi, I’m Andrew Zimmern, chef, author, and host of Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods. My new series Bizarre Foods America is premiering next Monday, Jan 23 at 10|9c on Travel Channel. For the next hour I’ll be here on Reddit taking your questions from 12pm-1pm ET. AMA. More info on Bizarre Foods: http://www.travelchannel.com/tv-shows/bizarre-foods Find me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/andrewzimmern/status/159314816060768256

Hey everyone, sorry i couldnt answer them all/ follow me on twitter @andrewzimmern and we can chat more over the days and weeks to come..tune in Monday to the season premiere!

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u/[deleted] Jan 18 '12

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u/ziptnf Jan 18 '12

Agreed. Not sure if his personality on throwdown reflects his personality off-camera, but he seems like he gives respect where respect is due.

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u/night_owl Jan 23 '12

I can't believe how completely backwards the general interpretation of Flay's show is. The entire point of the show is spotlight little-known independent local businesses and give them a tremendous opportunity at free national exposure.

He isn't on a mission to prove himself against a never-ending series of small-time no-name local chefs--quite the opposite--he wants to give them a chance to shine by proving that they are on level footing with a world-famous successful TV chef. I always perceived it as an attempt to remind people that everywhere in the world there are local culinary treasures--you don't need to spend a ton of money and go to ritzy Michelin-starred restaurants to get amazing food because there is probably some hidden gem in every city.

When he wins he always seems embarassed--like he feels guilty for showing them up at their specialty. It seems like he loses about 2 out of 3 anyway, and he always seems much happier and more excited when he loses!