This fall, Tony Shalhoub, the acclaimed Broadway and television star, makes his debut as a celebrity travel host with CNN’s new series “Breaking Bread.” The show follows Shalhoub as he embarks on a culinary journey across the globe, exploring diverse cultures and histories through the art of bread-making.
Shalhoub describes the show as more than just a celebration of bread; it serves as a vessel to delve into the stories and traditions of the people he meets along the way. “It’s about bread, but really as a kind of a vehicle to illustrate history and culture,” he explains.
The series kicks off in Shalhoub’s current hometown of New York City, where he indulges in a variety of breads, including old-fashioned pumpernickel, rye bread, and Irish soda bread scones. He also visits local favorites in Chinatown and the Little Caribbean neighborhood, sampling fried dough and black cake.
With a sense of humor, guest Lin-Manuel Miranda, one of Shalhoub’s friends, comments on the culinary adventure, remarking, “I don’t know how you convinced people to make this a show. We just get to eat delicious bread.” As the series progresses, Shalhoub finds himself enjoying São Paulo in Brazil, where he highlights the rich culinary influence of Lebanese immigrants on the local cuisine.
The series aims to celebrate food in all its forms, allowing Shalhoub and his team to dive into local delicacies beyond bread. They explore Afro-Brazilian heritage influenced by fermented dishes and local beverages, showcasing the cultural significance of each dish. Shalhoub even humorously notes the show’s relaxed atmosphere, hinting at some on-screen day drinking.
This venture places Shalhoub in a competitive landscape of celebrity travel hosts, including personalities like Stanley Tucci and José Andrés, all of whom draw inspiration from the late Anthony Bourdain’s trailblazing work. Despite the comparisons, Shalhoub aims to carve out his unique space in the culinary travel genre, with Amy Entelis, CNN’s executive vice president, emphasizing that no one tries to replicate Bourdain but rather bring their own perspective.
While Shalhoub’s extensive career includes multiple Emmy and Tony awards for his various roles, he approaches this new endeavor with a sense of humility. He describes himself as a tour guide, prioritizing the stories of the people he meets rather than focusing solely on himself.
Family plays an integral role in “Breaking Bread,” as Shalhoub invites his loved ones to join him in various locations. His daughter, Josie, accompanies him in Marseille, where they trace the journey his father took in the 1920s. Episodes also feature his wife and daughter in Iceland, alongside siblings and nephews in Wisconsin, reinforcing the familial connections that he believes are deeply tied to the experience of sharing food.
Entelis notes that Shalhoub’s fresh perspective in this genre presents him as endearing, showcasing an authentic passion for food, people, and travel. In a humorous moment from his New York episode, Shalhoub crosses the river to Jersey City, where he is told he’s about to taste the “finest pizza in New York,” a comment that jokingly raises eyebrows among local pizza enthusiasts.
“Breaking Bread” promises to deliver an engaging blend of culinary discovery and personal storytelling, inviting viewers along on an adventure filled with flavors, cultures, and heartwarming moments.