Chef David Chang hits the highway in new food-centric CNN journey sequence

By MARK KENNEDY, AP Entertainment Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — In an episode of his new CNN journey sequence, chef David Chang is cruising down the freeway on his solution to Las Vegas when he stops at a humble truck cease off Interstate 15.

The city is Hesperia, California, and the producers wished Chang to attempt an Indian restaurant close to a windshield restore retailer. But Chang spots a Mexican cantina that appears promising.

He naturally chooses to eat at each, freaking out his digicam crew.

“I just wanted to taste things. When I see something, I’m like, ‘Oh, that looks interesting. I would like to taste that,’” he says in an interview. “To the dismay of the producers and the team, they’re like, ‘No, no. We got to go here.’ I was like, ‘You don’t understand. I told you guys that if we’re going to do the show, everything’s on the table.’”

“Everything’s On the Table” is perhaps a very good different title for the six-part “The Detour with David Chang,” the place the famed founding father of the Momofuku global restaurant chain pairs with a companion and hits the open highway, consuming his method by means of America. It begins airing Sunday.

What’s the present about?

Chang chows down on Filipino meals in South Las Vegas, bites into a conventional Czech puff pastry in Texas and tries Haitian meals for the primary time in Miami. The present’s motto is: “All we’ve got is a destination. Everything else is a detour.”

He’s paired by pals and strangers alike, from “American Fiction” director and author Cord Jefferson to comic, actor and author Cristela Alonzo, who exhibits him her Texas. In Tennessee, he rides with Christina Tosi, the Milk Bar creator, who is nearly a surrogate sister.

The present is about exploring and connecting with locals to search out hidden gems, just like the spot that serves killer Cuban fritas at a laundromat. Or the cooks who take barbecue and mix Asian flavors, creating oak-smoked pulled pork with Penang curry. Or the household serving Honduran meals truck breakfast that helps heal Chang’s horrible rum hangover.

“I love going out to eat, but as I get older, staying inside, not doing as much, is also nice. And I think that over the past few years, I’ve certainly been calcified,” says Chang. “Anytime you get out of your comfort zone or your little bubble, I think it’s a good reminder that there’s so much other stuff out there.”

Eating decisions don’t comply with the algorithm

Chang joins a crowded discipline of celeb journey hosts, which incorporates Daniel Dae Kim, Tony Shalhoub, Rainn Wilson, Eugene Levy, Stanley Tucci,Orlando Bloom, Zac Efron, José Andrés, Chris Hemsworth, Will Smith, Eva Longoria and Ewan McGregor. Awkwafina is on deck.

All owe a debt to Anthony Bourdain, who impressed hundreds of thousands to share his enjoyment of meals and the bonds it created. Bourdain died in 2018. Amy Entelis, government vp of expertise, CNN Originals and artistic growth, notes that Chang is the primary chef to host a CNN unique sequence since Bourdain.

“Dave isn’t setting out to define American food or find the ‘best’ restaurant in every city. It’s almost the opposite,” she says. “He gets in the car, talks to people and follows recommendations that take him somewhere he didn’t expect to go. At a time when an algorithm can tell you where to eat, where to stay and what to see, there’s something really appealing about just getting a little lost and seeing what you find.”

The seed of the sequence was planted when Chang and government producer Morgan Neville had been chatting sooner or later about what it was like to find new indie rock bands again within the previous days earlier than the web and influencers, and the enjoyment whenever you discovered one.

“I felt like that was sort of how I felt about food as well,” says Chang. “Listen, it’s easier to eat than ever before. But, in some ways, it is harder to find something that is meaningful to you.”

He finds twists on brisket and Ethiopian meals

One present spotlight is the pleasant method he finally ends up at an Ethiopian restaurant in Las Vegas after listening to the advice of a taxi driver. Eating slow-cooked rooster and injera — the bitter, spongy flatbread — reminded Chang of how good that delicacies is.

“I will die on the hill that Ethiopian food is one of the world’s greatest cuisines. There’s nothing like it, and it’s a singular approach to texture, flavor, and the kind of food that everyone loves these days — communal dining, where everyone can eat the same thing but customize it themselves.”

He learns that in Texas the Holy Trinity is brisket, ribs and sausage, however some native cooks are additionally placing their very own spins on traditional dishes. Like pitmaster Chuck Charnichart on the eatery Barbs in Lockhart, who provides serrano glaze on her ribs and zests recent limes over them. “It feels like I have a front-row seat to Dylan going electric,” Chang says in admiration.

Throughout the sequence is Chang’s light humor and willingness to try to do something, dropping references to the painter Rothko, musician John Coltrane and director Terrence Malick alongside the best way. And, after all, all the time popping corn nuts.

“When you think about it, I’m getting paid to go eat and hang out with friends,” he says, laughing. “I have nothing to complain about. And it’s a nice reminder that this is literally a dream job.”