A Review of Spain on the Road Again
The PBS Series Covering the Cuisine and Culture in Spain
May 27, 2009
Iron Chef Mario Batali, actress Gwyneth Paltrow, New York Times food writer Mark Bittman, and Spanish actress Claudia Bassols teamed up in 2008 to film their travels through the Spanish countryside and features an opening collaboration between Willie Nelson and Antonio Carmona. The series first premiered during the week of September 20, 2008 and has aired in syndication ever since. It is a 13-episode series that is now available for purchase on DVD along with the companion book written by Batali, Paltrow and Julia Turshen for Harper Collins.
The premise for the show is simple, the foursome tour different areas of Spain including Galicia, Basque Country and the Balearic Islands. During their pilgrimage throughout, the four stop and sample local cuisine and national landmarks such as the Guggenheim in Balbao and Gaudi's buildings in Barcelona. Along the way, there is much witty banter and fun to take part in as the world of Spanish culture and cuisine come alive to the viewer. In addition, when Paltrow and Batali pick up a hitch-hiker who turns out to be R.E.M. front man, Michael Stipe on a surprise visit for Paltrow only added to the show's transfix-able qualities.
Outside of the sarcastic and often humorous dialogue of the show, the Spanish scenery lends its own beauty to the overall aspects of the show. It makes the viewer not only want to be part of their dining experience, makes them feel as though they are actually already part of that. Add in the interviews with such well-known artists such as Frank Gehry and the conversations and debates that follow his visit, make Spain on the Road Again a complete pleasure to watch. It makes an armchair traveler think that they have been removed from their living room and transplanted into the vineyards of Basque Country.
To date, the series is airing in re-runs on PBS. A national programming schedule can be found here.
Mario Batali
Batali is a Seattle-born chef who has spent extensive time in Madrid in his youth. Currently, he is a world-renowned chef who is co-owner of Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca, in Greenwhich Village, New York City. He is also the author ofSimple Italian Food (Clarkson Potter, 1998), Mario Batali Holiday Food (Clarkson Potter, 2000); The Babbo Cookbook (Clarkson Potter, 2002); Molto Italiano: 327 Simple Italian Recipes (Ecco, 2005); Mario Tailgates NASCAR Style (The Sporting News 2006); and Mario Batali - Italian Grilling (Ecco, 2008).
Gwyneth Paltrow
Platrow is an actress best known for her academy award-winning role in Shakespeare in Love. She was once known as being “that English-actress who was once engaged to Brad Pitt.” Though, she was briefly engaged to Pitt, Paltrow was born in Los Angeles. More recently, she married Cold Play front-man, Chris Martin in December of 2003. They have two children.
Mark Bittman
Bittman is not a classically trained chef, but rather a journalist who became passionate about cuisine over the course of his career. He is the creator of The New York Times column, The Minimalist. He is most known for his no-nonsense approach and simple recipes.
Claudia Bassols
Bassols is a highly-educated Spanish actress from Catalonia. Outside of Spain on the Road Again, Bassols appeared in the 2007 file Blackout with Amber Tamblyn.
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