Watch Rick Stein's Long Weekends

Rick Stein's Long Weekends is a travelogue cooking show that aired on BBC Two in 2016. The show consists of several episodes, each centered on a different European city, where celebrity chef Rick Stein explores the local cuisine and culture while preparing iconic dishes of each region.

The show was inspired by Stein's own experiences of spending long weekends with his wife in European cities, where he discovered the local food and ingredients. Stein's aim with the show was to showcase that European cuisine isn't just confined to fancy restaurants, but is also accessible in the street food and markets of the local areas.

Each episode has a different city, with Rick Stein wandering around the streets, meeting locals, and tasting their food. He highlights the importance of locally sourced ingredients and traditional cooking methods, explaining the regional significance of each dish. After sampling a local dish, Stein will then cook his take on the dish, adding his unique twist and expert techniques, showcasing his culinary prowess.

Viewers can expect to learn about each city's local food culture and the history behind the dishes. Stein aims to provide insight on the role of food in each city's culture, using the dishes and their origins to shed light on the history and customs of the locality.

One of the show's most significant strengths is its ability to sense and capture the essence of each city. Throughout the show, the cinematography captures the ambiance and landmarks of each city, featuring panoramic views and street-level shots, conveying the bustling nature of each place. Stein travels to destinations as diverse as Bordeaux, Cadiz, Reykjavik, Bologna, and Berlin, amongst others, and viewers are taken on a virtual journey, immersing them into the local culture and cuisine of these iconic cities.

One of its episodes showcases Istanbul, where Rick Stein visits local markets, immersing himself in the hustle-bustle of Turkish bazaars while sampling some of the most mouth-watering authentic Turkish dishes. He tries the famous Turkish dish Manti, a dish with dumplings filled with meat, which he then recreates in his inimitable style. Another episode features Reykjavik, where Rick explores the Icelandic food culture, sampling the country's famous seafood, and learns about Iceland's most common local dishes.

Throughout the show, Rick takes the viewers on a journey to the culinary heartland of each destination. For example, in Cadiz, Spain, Rick recreates the iconic dish of Tortilla which comprises of potatoes, onions, and eggs. In another episode, viewers can witness Rick indulging in Parisian Escargot, learning the preparation of the dish from a Parisian chef.

A significant aspect of the show is the interaction that Stein has with the locals. Stein lounges on terraces, enjoying food and drink with the locals, and then learning about how each dish is traditionally prepared, making the show an exciting journey through sights, sounds, and flavors.

Overall, Rick Stein's Long Weekends is a beautifully filmed, engaging, and educational show that provides an entertaining glimpse into the diverse culinary cultures of Europe. For food lovers who love to travel and explore, the show provides an excellent template to learn and experience the flavors of traditional European cuisine.

Rick Stein's Long Weekends is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (10 episodes). The series first aired on April 22, 2016.