Tony Shalhoub Explores Global Bread Cultures in New CNN Series "Breaking Bread"

In a new travel and food series set to debut on CNN this fall, actor Tony Shalhoub will take viewers on a global journey exploring the diverse world of bread. Titled "Breaking Bread," the show follows Shalhoub as he samples a wide array of breads and local cuisines around the world, using the humble loaf as a "vehicle" to showcase the history, culture, and people of each destination.

The first episode of "Breaking Bread" is set in Shalhoub's current hometown of New York City, where he indulges in classic breads like pumpernickel, rye, and Irish soda bread scones. The series then takes Shalhoub to Marseille, France, where he savors baguettes and bouillabaisse, and to Tokyo, where he tries fluffy milk bread and red bean paste buns.

Beyond just sampling the local fare, Shalhoub aims to use bread as a lens to delve deeper into the traditions and stories of the places he visits. In the second episode, set in Brazil, Shalhoub explores the influence of Lebanese immigrants like himself on the country's food scene, discovering flatbreads, za'atar, pistachios, and kibbeh. He also visits a cassava farm and learns about Afro-Brazilian heritage through a deep-fried bread ball made from black-eyed pea flour.

While "Breaking Bread" may be centered on the humble loaf, Shalhoub and his team are not afraid to indulge in other local delicacies, including the Brazilian cocktail caipirinha. As Shalhoub quips, "This used to be a show about bread."