Ep 1. NYC: Will Work For Food

In Bizarre Foods season 7 episode 1, titled "NYC: Will Work For Food", host Andrew Zimmern embarks on a culinary adventure through New York City. The episode begins with Zimmern exploring the streets of Manhattan and discussing the city's diverse food scene. He meets up with various chefs and food professionals to learn about their unique creations and techniques.

One of the first stops for Zimmern is a small deli in Brooklyn famous for its pastrami sandwich. He watches as the chef prepares the meat and slices it perfectly to create the perfect sandwich. Zimmern is blown away by the flavor and texture of the pastrami, and even tries to make his own version later in the episode.

Next, Zimmern heads to a Vietnamese restaurant in Queens to try a dish called bun bo hue. The chef explains the complexity of the dish, which features beef, pork, and shrimp in a spicy broth, and serves it with a variety of accompaniments. Zimmern is amazed by the depth of flavor and the different textures in the dish.

The episode also highlights some of the unique and unusual foods found in New York City, such as birria tacos from a food truck in the Bronx, Asian-inspired hot dogs from a street vendor in Manhattan, and even an entire meal made from insects at a pop-up restaurant in Brooklyn.

But the true focus of the episode is Zimmern's willingness to work for his food. He spends time in the kitchens of several restaurants, including a Jewish bakery in Queens and a Mexican taqueria in Manhattan, learning how to make traditional dishes from scratch. He even helps out at a farm in the Hudson Valley, where he harvests vegetables and learns about sustainable farming practices.

Throughout the episode, Zimmern emphasizes the importance of knowing where your food comes from and the hard work that goes into producing it. He also showcases the incredible diversity of New York City's food scene and the passion of the people who create it.

Overall, "NYC: Will Work For Food" is a fascinating exploration of the culinary treasures of New York City, and a reminder of the importance of respecting and appreciating the food we eat.