I am not a cooking show guy. Not a foodie. Don’t watch Dives and Diners or whatever that is – but the new series The Next Thing You Eat looks at food in super interesting ways and takes it from angles I have never seen before on a show. And thanks to the charming host, restaurateur David Chang, every episode is delivered in plain English. Chang gleefully drops F-bombs alongside knowledge, usually with an infectious smile.. You’ll feel happier having watched it.
The first episode looks at the future of how we will get our food. The Covid restrictions have turned us into home delivery consumers, and Change discovers with the help of Silicon Valley scientists that we’re just getting started. A.I. becomes increasingly sophisticated and we see that little unmanned vehicles will drive up to our doorstep to bring us our dinner before long.
I like that Chang, while admiring the technology, doesn’t forget that human beings may become less essential as the machines take over. He asks the tough questions and gets some answers that are comforting, others not so much.
Episode two takes on the beloved hamburger – the staple of so many American diets. But instead of just doing the Guy Fieri thing where he just eats crap on camera (not that he doesn’t blissfully sample the goods) Chang and company also explores the environmental impact on the number of cows in the world it takes to make those quarter-pounders, as well as plant-based newcomers which are quickly growing in popularity.
The episodes roll by at a quick pace and provide a number of “gee, I didn’t know that” moments in each installment. And the common thread seems to be the “next” part-always forward-looking.
Other episodes look at Sushi, Breakfasts, and the year 2050 in food consumption.
I must sheepishly admit that I didn’t know anything about David Chang, apart from his appearance in the Anthony Bourdain documentary, and only have just now discovered that he is huge in the food world. He is engaging, the photography is sumptuous, and the other people in the “cast” fit in well with his vibe.
The Next Thing You Eat is currently streaming on Hulu.
