Manu Feildel is passionate about many things in his life. His family, his adopted home of Australia, his French origins and the thing that is on his mind 24/7: food.
For many years, Manu has dreamed of travelling the route of Jules Vern’s Around the World In 80 Days and discovering the food that would have been consumed had it been his adventure.
In AROUND THE WORLD WITH MANU, the French chef attempts to travel all of the countries in Vern’s famous novel on a budget of $20K.
“The idea came about 15 years ago, long before I ever dreamed of being on TV,” explains Manu, who is also the co-executive producer for his passion project. “I used to daydream of creating a show similar to the book Around The World In 80 Days, but doing it as a culinary voyage. I wrote the first ideas for the show with a friend one night and have been constantly thinking of ways to make it happen.”
The challenge is on – he can wash dishes, cook meals, even busk to top up his kitty, but he cannot take money, or free travel. Can he do what Vern’s character Phileas Fogg achieved back in 1872? “It was always a guessing game sticking to the budget as I never knew how much I would need in the next country,” Manu says.
After a lot of research and planning (well, maybe a quick Google search), Manu departs for his first destination: England. And so the journey begins taking him from Dover to Dubai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hong Kong, Tokyo, L.A. and London.
This is real time, no cushy green rooms or business class airfares; just Manu, 30 days, $20K and lots of dreams of the wonderful food and people he is about to discover on his culinary voyage.
AROUND THE WORLD WITH MANU will premiere after the Olympics on 7TWO.
