ANDREW ZIMMERN EXPLORES DIVERSE CUISINE FROM AROUND THE WORLD ON A NEW SEASON OF "BIZARRE FOODS: DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS"

Series Premieres Tuesday, April 18, with Back-to-Back Episodes at 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ET/PT

NEW YORK (March 15, 2017) - Travel Channel continues to whet appetites with delightful dishes from around the globe during fresh episodes of "Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations" premiering Tuesday, April 18, with back-to-back episodes at 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ET/PT. Hosted and executive produced by culinary explorer and James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Zimmern, the fifth season features 26 half-hour episodes that highlight the must-try foods that define a location and the best restaurants to enjoy them. Most travelers want to experience local favorites but likely don't know the origins of these iconic foods, such as a sweet and salty peameal bacon sandwich in Toronto, gorgeous box sushi in Osaka, Japan, or creamy finnan haddie in Portland, Maine. Zimmern takes viewers on an edible journey as he shares the secrets behind popular dishes in the most delectable food destinations in the United States and abroad.

"As a traveler, I get no greater pleasure than learning about the culture and history of the places I'm visiting," said Zimmern. "And I process best by understanding and eating the foods that define a city. 'Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations' allows me to bring that first-hand experience straight to our viewers as a set of recommenders that anyone can access for their own journeys."

In the season premiere, Zimmern savors the traditional Appalachian fare of Asheville, North Carolina, where smoky BBQ pork is king and creamy sweet potato pie melts in your mouth. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains and acclaimed as "Beer City USA," this eclectic spot offers up flaky rainbow trout straight from mountain streams, the juiciest fried chicken in the South and the most divine biscuits and red eye gravy that demand an Instagram post. This season's domestic and international tour explores classic cuisine from a variety of destinations including Dallas; Milan; Newfoundland; Santorini, Greece; Savannah, Georgia; Venice, Italy and more.

Head to TravelChannel.com for "Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations" show extras including slideshows and special videos. Follow @TravelChannel and #BizarreFoods for more exclusive content and updates. Follow host Andrew Zimmern on Twitter @andrewzimmern and on Instagram @chefaz.

ABOUT TRAVEL CHANNEL

For virtual and active travelers who want to go on a thrilling quest; taste other cultures; enjoy the mystery of the unexplored; get a dose of epic adventure or a splash of wacky fun; there is no better daily escape than Travel Channel. Reaching more than 84 million U.S. cable homes, Travel Channel is the world's leading travel media brand. Fans also can visit Travel Channel for more information or interact with other fans through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Travel Channel is owned by Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc., which also owns and operates HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country.