Somebody Feed Phil Review

Recommendation: Must Watch

Somebody Feed Phil (Netflix 2018) is a food and travel show that follows “Everybody Loves Raymond” creator Phil Rosenthal as he travels to global food hot spots ranging from New York to Morocco.

The show has quickly become one of my all-time favorites. Its ability to capture multiple facets of a culture in an episode that is less than an hour long is nothing short of amazing. The high-quality cinematography can only be matched by Phil himself, who is an excellent host. He displays a hilarious sense of humor while remaining respectful to local traditions and experiences. His childlike awe and excitement to try new foods ties the whole show together making it easy to enjoy and learn about some of the greatest places on the planet.

The episodes feature a diverse cast of locals, well known chefs, celebrities, and the occasional K-pop star, who guide Phil and the crew throughout the local landscape. Within the hour you get to see everything from street food on the side of the road to some of the world’s highest rated restaurants.

If you’re planning on travelling to any of the destinations featured in Somebody Feed Phil it is a great benchmark to compare to any food tour one may partake in.

What is unexpected but highly appreciated from a food focused show, is that a portion of each episode is given to highlight a local cultural event or area. These range from an organization that brings otherwise unavailable fresh produce to inner city parts of Chicago, meeting with local religions, farming, or just making the audience aware of the beauty of the country he’s visiting. Phil always comes off as very respectful, and these events never feel like cheap pandering and I would consider them a great way to capture some of what the world has to offer outside of food.

The show is inspiring not only as a cinematic work, but also as a journey. It inspires me to explore many new places that I had not even considered before. Watching Somebody Feed Phil feels akin to vacationing with old friends, and hopefully that is something we can all enjoy one day.