You know him from his voyages around the world, showcasing (and eating) staples from every culture on the planet, and now Andrew Zimmern is here in South Beach demonstrating the kind of open heart it takes to do that work. From childhood hardship, to devastating addiction, into incredible ambition and drive, Andrew describes his journey and the presence of food along his way. He details the start of Bizarre Foods, his experience traveling and learning… and of course Andrew talks about his friendship with Anthony Bourdain, their shared mission through their shows, and Anthony’s legacy. In the past, Andrew has been open about the depths of his addiction, but with Dan, he explains in new light the lengths he went to support it. Andrew also explains why he’s so vocal about his journey and the incredible benefits sober life has given him since he got clean. TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains discussion of substance abuse, addiction, mental health struggles and self harm. If you or someone you know are struggling with thoughts of self harm, you can get help by calling 988 for the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Who is Andrew Zimmern and what is his connection to South Beach?
Welcome to South Beach Sessions. I'm looking forward to this one, and they paired this man with me for a reason, because he'll crack open and he'll give you the vulnerability and the shame, and you know that the grief eater loves those things. Andrew Zimmern is an award-winning host and television host and chef. I don't know what it means to win the James Beard Award.
You've done it multiple times, but it means you around food, one of the best America has to offer. Thank you for being with us, but the reason that I wanted to talk to you,
is for all the interesting parts in your journey, it begins somewhere with radio, with a love of radio, with understanding where it is that radio connects with people, and you've been allowed to reveal your personality to people in a way that has been, I imagine, life-affirming. But thank you for being on with us.
No, no, no. I love it. I mean, you know, this is these are the conversations that I love and I love what you do. So, yeah, let's dive in.
You're in the middle of the you know, this food and wine festival is one of the best things Miami does. Miami doesn't do things consistently well and you've seen it grow. So this is a hugely busy time for you. Your relationship with food, your relationship with this city, your relationship with this festival is what?
Well, 24 years ago, Lee Schrager had the idea, along with Southern Glazer Wine and Spirits, to, you know, throw a little party on the beach, have some chefs come down and cook some food, raise some money for Florida International University's Chaplin School of Hospitality. And it's taken off from there. It's now, I mean—
A hundred plus thousand people descending on, you know, essentially South Beach, although there are events all the way down to the jump off spot to the Keys and all the way up to West Palm and.
It has become a massive really Wednesday to Monday scene, so much so that there are there are giant sized ticketed events that other people throw because they know so many people are in town like Art Basel, like so many or Basel, I guess, as we're supposed to call it.
Bacchanalia is what it is. It's everyone coming to South Florida and having sex with food and just pumping our region for a few days and then leaving. And then leaving. On airplanes filled with indigestion and gas.
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