Spain…On the Road Again

Batali and Bittman in Spain

I’ve heard a bit of buzz about a new program called Spain…On the Road Again. Here’s the gist: Gwyneth Paltrow, chef Mario Batali, New York Times food columnist Mark Bittman, and Spanish actress Claudia Bassols embark on a road trip in a fancy, schmancy car to give viewers a closer look at Spain’s cuisine and culture. The 13-part TV series premieres the week of September 20 on PBS. (In Austin, the first episode airs Friday, September 26 at 10 p.m. Yours truly will have to tape it, as 10 p.m. is quite late for those of us who need our eight hours.)

I am excited about this program. José Andrés kindled an interest in all things Spanish with his show, Made in Spain. I do have a love-hate relationship with holier-than-thou Gwyneth, but the love part of the love-hate thing compels me to watch her, even if she does say obnoxious things in the press and offers her opinion when no one was asking (that’s the hate part). Also, I want to see what she wears (the love part again). But she’s probably just doing this to show off her fluency in Spanish (hate her). It’s very complicated.

Anywho, the first episode, Tilting Windmills in Castilla la Mancha, starts with Mark and Mario at Madrid’s fish market, while Gwynnie and Claudia “lounge luxuriously eating churros and hot chocolate.” (Hate, hate, hate.) Then Gwyneth and Mario drive to Toledo for a cooking lesson with one of Castilla la Mancha’s top chefs, while Mark and Claudia travel the route of Don Quijote, tilting at windmills and learning how to make Manchego cheese. Apparently Mario tries bird sushi, which doesn’t agree with him.

Click the link to the episode for a short preview.