Big Food Bucket List Season 1 Episode 13 Feast Like a King

In season 1 episode 13 of Big Food Bucket List, titled "Feast Like a King," the show's host, John Catucci, is on a mission to discover some of the most decadent and luxurious meals fit for a king. Throughout the episode, Catucci travels to various destinations around the globe to explore the unique flavors and techniques of cuisine fit for royalty.

The episode begins in Thailand, where Catucci visits the famed Ruen Malika restaurant in Bangkok to experience a royal Thai feast. The restaurant replicates the grandeur and elegance of a Thai palace, complete with traditional costumes and exceptional hospitality. Catucci is treated to a lavish meal featuring a variety of dishes such as aloe vera soup, sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves, and fish steamed in banana leaves. The lavish meal is complete with royal Thai desserts, including a jasmine-scented rice pudding, adorned with pure gold flakes.

Next up, Catucci heads to London, England, to witness the luxury and opulence of British cuisine. In the city's Belgravia neighborhood, he visits the renowned restaurant Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. The restaurant, with its sleek and modern interiors, offers traditional British dishes with a modern twist. The menu includes iconic British dishes such as pork chops, lamb, and oyster stew. Catucci tries the chef's signature dish, meat fruit, a chicken liver parfait, shaped like a mandarin orange, served with grilled bread.

The show then travels to Abu Dhabi, where Catucci visits the opulent Emirates Palace hotel, known for its luxury and extravagance. At the hotel's Hakkasan restaurant, Catucci experiences the sparkling decor and exceptional meals that draw celebrities and heads of states to dine there. He enjoys their bespoke gold leaf dim sum, which is embellished with gold leaf and wrapped with beetroot pastry. He then indulges in a plate of Peking duck, a dish where the whole duck is carved tableside and served with a stack of pancakes, cucumber, and a sweet and tangy sauce.

Lastly, Catucci heads to Italy, known as the home of some of the most delicious and sophisticated cuisines in the world. In Florence, he visits the prestigious Osteria di Passignano restaurant, nestled in a historic monastery. The restaurant offers a renowned 12-course meal featuring local ingredients prepared in a modern and innovative way. Catucci is served fassona beef tartare with fennel seeds, roasted fish, stuffed pasta, and a quintessential Florentine dish, the Chianina steak. The meal concludes with a luscious, light-as-air puff pastry filled with pecorino cheese and served with truffle honey.

Throughout the episode, Catucci truly experiences how food can become a luxurious and unforgettable experience. Each restaurant he visits is a testament to the culinary expertise and creativity of the chefs and their respect for tradition, making each dish unique and unforgettable. Overall, "Feast Like a King" is a culinary journey that leaves viewers with a deep appreciation for the art behind each meal and the grandeur and elegance that accompanies royalty.