Our take
Apple TV+’s stunning Omnivore is sleek and stylish enough to make it stand out from the usual food and travel shows you might find on TV. There are expertly shot scenes from around the world, exclusive interviews, and maybe best of all, a well-written script that’s just as colorful and delectable as the dishes onscreen. Each episode, which hones in on a specific ingredient like corn or chili, has a tight runtime at just 30 minutes, making it extremely bingeable (though ideally not on an empty stomach). That said, the show might be too polished for viewers who are expecting the gritty and immersive approach of a chef like Anthony Bourdain. Omnivore, for all its explorative language, is suspiciously idyllic at times, all too eager to paint the global food industry as a harmonious process as opposed to an enterprise that is involved in global warming, animal poaching, and deforestation, among others. Every industry has a dark side, and I just wished the show appreciated the nuance in that. Still, it’s an engaging watch with glowing moments.
The story
From Peruvian salt flats to Rwandan coffee forests, explore and celebrate the ingredients that built societies, shaped beliefs, and forever altered the tapestry of humanity.
Renowned Danish chef René Redzepi narrates and appears in this series that explores a different ingredient in each episode.
Oh, hey, it’s the restaurant from The Bear! I bet it took all of the Apple TV+ people’s restraint not to mention Noma’s connection to a rival streamer’s wildly successful show.
He’s no Anthony Bourdain, but chef René Redzepi is eloquent and curious enough to guide us through the gastronomic wonders of the world.
The details
Streaming arrival
Who picked it
Renee Cuisia is the lead curator at A Good Movie to Watch. In her spare time, she likes to watch K-dramas and analyze them to death. She's also seen You've Got Mail one too many times but is still convinced it's one of the greatest films out there.
