Ep 8. San Francisco Bay: Cricket Cookies & Engineered Eggs

In season 11 episode 8 of Bizarre Foods America, host Andrew Zimmern travels to the San Francisco Bay Area to explore the unique cuisine and ingredients that make the region famous.

The episode kicks off with Zimmern heading to a local bakery specializing in unique pastry creations, including the popular "cricket cookies" made with cricket flour. After sampling the sweet treats, Zimmern heads to a nearby cricket farm to learn more about the nutritional benefits and sustainability of using crickets as a protein source in baked goods and other dishes.

Next, Zimmern embarks on a deep dive into the world of genetically engineered ingredients. He visits a local startup that's developing plant-based egg substitutes using cutting-edge technology and explores the potential benefits and drawbacks of using such ingredients in traditional dishes.

Along the way, Zimmern also visits a Buddhist temple to experience a traditional vegetarian feast and learns about the spiritual and cultural significance behind the dishes served. He also drops by a local Filipino restaurant to explore the unique blend of Spanish, Chinese, and indigenous flavors found in Filipino cuisine.

Throughout the episode, Zimmern showcases the Bay Area's diverse culinary scene, highlighting the ways in which local chefs, artisans, and entrepreneurs are pushing the boundaries of traditional cuisine. With its mix of innovative ingredients, bold flavors, and rich cultural history, San Francisco Bay proves to be a fascinating culinary destination worth exploring in depth.