Antoni Porowski Explores Culinary History with Celebrities in New Series

NEW YORK, Feb. 19, 2025 — Celebrities like Issa Rae and Florence Pugh will explore their culinary roots in a new series titled “No Taste Like Home with Antoni Porowski,” set to premiere on National Geographic on February 23.

The show, hosted by the “Queer Eye” star, diverges from traditional talk show formats by utilizing food and genealogy to help guests reconnect with their heritage. Each episode features Porowski guiding one celebrity through a culinary journey that reflects their ancestry, enabling them to learn about their family history through food.

In this debut season, the star-studded roster includes actors Justin Theroux, James Marsden, and Awkwafina. Throughout their adventures, each guest experiences, tastes, and learns about the dishes that their ancestors cherished.

Creating an intimate setting for emotional exploration is crucial for Porowski. He emphasized the importance of building trust with his guests. “The way that I leaned in is that I just got personal. I shared my own stories,” he said. “You have to develop a sense of mutual trust and know that there are no gotcha moments here.”

Throughout the series, diverse culinary experiences await, from cooking with moringa leaves to learning traditional smoking techniques for herring. Rae and Pugh’s journeys illustrate the personal connections ingrained in food, while also showcasing how it can bridge generations.

Porowski draws on his passion for food to foster meaningful dialogues. “The only goal of this is for you to have a really wonderful experience you can pass on to hopefully your kids,” he noted. The series aims to inspire viewers to uncover their own culinary heritage and deepen their understanding of their family’s past.

Preparation for the series involved extensive research, including genealogy services verifying oral histories in various global locations such as Borneo and Senegal. The authenticity is key, with Porowski noting that guests often engage with genealogists or food experts to inquire about their family’s history and culinary practices.

The show promises to draw viewers in, allowing them to witness relatable moments of discovery as celebrities confront their heritage on camera. “Imagine doing that in front of a camera, and the stakes are even higher,” Porowski reflected. The environment he nurtures supports vulnerability and exploration.

As the series showcases how ancestral foods can unveil otherwise hidden personal histories, viewers will gain insight into the celebrities’ backgrounds in a transformative and entertaining manner. With its unique premise, “No Taste Like Home with Antoni Porowski” aims to captivate audiences, prompting them to explore their own food narratives.

The two-episode premiere will air starting at 9 p.m. ET on February 23, inviting viewers to join this culinary journey across cultures and generations.