David Chang announces new food and travel series

Restaurateur David Chang is set to host an ‘off-the-grid’ food and travel series across the United States, discarding pre-planned itineraries and internet recommendations in favour of word-of-mouth tips and spontaneous detours.

The 48-year-old celebrity chef and founder of the Momofuku restaurant group will use his CNN Original Series to reimagine the ‘modern food show’ by favouring local leads and the joy of discovery over chasing vitality.

Instead of getting sucked into social media’s so-called ‘hyped’ eateries, Chang and his rotating crew of friends will embark on the ultimate road trip to meet people and dine at establishments that 'don’t make it into guidebooks'.

“What I’ve always admired about CNN’s storytelling is its willingness to explore culture through real human experiences,” Chang said in a press release.

“That’s the kind of work [filmmaker Morgan Neville] and I both care deeply about, stories that feel personal, complicated, and honest. I’m thrilled to partner with him on this new project!”

In each TV episode, the cultural commentator will hit the road in the hopes of uncovering a stellar meal, an off-the-beaten-track institution, and/or a slew of passionate cooks who are setting the world to right, one meal at a time.

The star claimed he was 'thrilled' to partner with the cable news channel (Netflix)

“At a moment when so much discovery is filtered through algorithms and online recommendations, David celebrates the value of getting a little lost and rediscovering the joy of wandering,” said Amy Entelis, executive vice president of talent, CNN Originals, and creative development.

“He has an unmatched ability to move between humor, insight and honesty, and this series captures the richness of American life through the lens of food, travel and human connection.”

Majordomo Media and Tremolo Productions will produce Chang’s show, which follows in the footsteps of Parts Unknown with Anthony Bourdain and programmes fronted by Stanley Tucci, Tony Shalhoub, and Daniel Dae Kim, the Hollywood Reporter stated.

The former Michelin-star chef made headlines last year after he blamed Generation Z for causing harm to the hospitality industry due to their reduction in alcohol consumption.

Previous studies have suggested that those born between 1997 and 2012 are less likely than Millennials and later generations to reach for alcohol.

A Gallup survey found the number of Gen Z adults drinking had fallen by around 9 percent, between 2023 and 2025.

The cost-of-living crisis and rising food and drink costs were cited as the catalysts for the change.

Apparently, an entire generation going alcohol-free is not an idea Chang isn’t on board with.

"Kids just don't drink anymore! They are never going to know what it is like to wake up at 3 p.m. in the afternoon and be like: 's***, I left my credit card in that bar’,” he said on an episode of the TBPN podcast.

Chang previously hit out at Gen Z's apparent aversion to alcohol (Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)

He went on to say that people who choose to go alcohol-free are a ‘real existential threat’ to restaurants’ survival, adding: “Something is going to give when you are down 18 percent on beverage sales.”

Chang’s dismay was echoed by Phil Kafarakis, the CEO of the Food Away From Home Association.

In an interview with Business Insider, the expert lamented: "Consumer sentiment is in a very bad place, restaurants are grappling with rising ingredient costs, higher labour costs, and fickle consumers.

“This whole thing is really becoming a tsunami of sorts that really doesn't look like it's going to slow down.”

When asked what could be done to ‘solve’ the problem on Gen Z drinking less, Chang said: "I don't have an answer.”

He added: “Food needs to get more expensive, but that comes across as terrible… because it's already expensive.”