Ep 1. Close Encounters of The Food Kind

Carnival Eats is back with a bang with season 5's explosive first episode, Close Encounters of The Food Kind. As always, the show is all about exploring the most outrageous and delicious eats from carnivals and fairs across North America. In this episode, host Noah Cappe is on a mission to discover the newest and weirdest foods around.

Noah's first stop is the Clay County Fair in Green Cove Springs, Florida where he meets up with "The World's Smallest Woman," Jyoti Amge. But it's not just Jyoti who's small - the fair has also introduced mini versions of classic fair foods. Noah is introduced to miniature corn dogs, mini sliders, and even tiny funnel cakes. Everything is bite-sized and perfect for sharing - if you can bear to part with them!

Next, Noah heads to Tucson, Arizona for the Pima County Fair where he's on the lookout for one of the newest carnival trends - corndogs with crazy toppings. Noah is in for a surprise as he discovers corndogs with a wild west twist - made with rattlesnake and cactus! But that's not all - he also gets to try out a corndog covered in pulverized hot Cheetos. It's not for the faint-hearted, but it's definitely a crowd-pleaser.

Noah's third stop on this adventure is in Brandon, Florida at the Florida State Fair. There, he discovers the ultimate carb-heavy creation - a giant mozzarella stick. Made from over 20 layers of perfectly battered cheese, this stick is sure to impress. But it's not just the size that's impressive - Noah also gets to try the deep-fried version that's been rolled in Cheetos crumbs. It's cheesy, it's crunchy, and it's downright delicious.

The fourth stop on Noah's journey is in Annapolis, Maryland where he visits the State House lawn for the annual Maryland Seafood Festival. Here, Noah is on the hunt for seafood with a twist. He finds a unique creation in the form of an oyster taco made with crispy fried oysters, coleslaw, and a sweet chili sauce. It's a refreshing break from the traditionally heavier carnival foods, and it's surprisingly delightful.

Finally, Noah heads to Dallas, Texas for the State Fair of Texas where he's on the hunt for the ultimate carnival food mashup. He discovers a burger made with pulled pork, jalapenos, and mac and cheese - all stacked on a glazed doughnut. It's a heart attack waiting to happen, but it's also too good to resist.

Throughout the episode, Noah also shares some of the history behind carnival food and the origins of some of the classics like corn dogs and funnel cakes. He even visits a factory where they make the perfect churro.

Close Encounters of The Food Kind is a high-energy start to season 5 of Carnival Eats. Noah's enthusiasm for carnival food is infectious, and his willingness to try anything makes the show a joy to watch. This episode is sure to leave viewers hungry for more.