I’m an Englishman in New York, and last month I slipped across New York Harbor to Governors Island, less focused on its strategic position as a command post but more interested in cocktail making, award-winning pizza, and meeting Antoni Porowski to discuss his new series, National Geographic’s Best of the World with Antoni Porowski.
For Antoni, the best meal in the world isn’t necessarily served at a Michelin-starred restaurant — it might come from a grandmother’s kitchen, a tiny London pub, or a chef preserving generations of tradition. That philosophy drives the new National Geographic series blending celebrity travel, food culture, and deeply personal storytelling.
Den of Geek: What was it that interested you about weaving a more personal angle into the celebrity-meets-culinary world format?
Antoni Porowski: It was the pause I experienced internally when we started discussing the “best of the world.” lists. It’s such a huge statement to make because it’s so subjective. The best for one person could be a grandmother making tortellini she learned from her ancestors. For someone else, the best is a five-star hotel with butler service.
Where I found comfort was leaning into the human stories behind it. National Geographic and Two Four were incredibly supportive of that, and for me it’s the most interesting part — the people. That’s what I remember from trips.
If I try something delicious, I immediately want to know: “Who made this? What inspired them?” There’s always a deeper story there.
Whether it was meeting a young woman in Paris weaving a carpet that takes 10 years to complete, or chefs obsessing over perfecting roti in London, I’m fascinated by people who dedicate themselves completely to something. That kind of passion is relatable and inspiring.
Have you always had that obsession with food?
Deep obsession. To quote my therapist, “If it’s hysterical, it’s historical.”
It comes from my parents. We’d be eating breakfast and already talking about lunch and dinner. If we went to a restaurant, we’d critique the dishes and talk about how to make them healthier, better, or more decadent.
Food was the equalizer in my family. It was our common ground.
Was there a particular experience during filming that surprised you or changed your perspective?
Absolutely. One of the places we visited in London was Tamil Crown, this amazing pub started by two friends — one British and one an Indian immigrant.
They asked themselves: what’s the most iconic British meal? The Sunday Roast. And then they reimagined it through Indian flavors. Yorkshire pudding with roti. Gobi 65 instead of cauliflower cheese.
At first it feels like, “You don’t mess with the Sunday roast,” right? But when you think about the history of the spice trade in England and Indian cuisine’s place in British culture, it actually makes perfect sense.
That was such a fun conversation to have because it shows how food traditions evolve naturally through history and migration.
England gets a lot of criticism internationally for its food. After filming there, what’s your verdict?
People need to stop with this idea that England doesn’t have good food because I genuinely don’t remember having a bad meal there.
You have brown sauce. Branston pickle. And the Sunday roast is perfect. It checks every box.
And honestly, the diversity of food in London is incredible. Some people have told me the best Indian food outside of India is in London, and I totally believe that. Also, you have Nando’s. What’s not to love?
National Geographic has a legacy tied to exploration and discovery. What does partnering with them mean to you?
It feels like a responsibility in the best way possible.
We had a National Geographic subscription growing up, and it was probably the only thing my parents never had to force me to read. I loved learning about archaeology, animal species, ecosystems — things I never would’ve encountered otherwise.
So it feels like a tremendous privilege. But at the same time, I want to stay authentic to myself. I’m basically a golden retriever or a kid at heart. I get genuinely excited by people and by diversity in all its forms.
I’m constantly trying to balance being myself while respecting the incredible legacy that is National Geographic.
In a fantasy world who would you love to travel with for an episode?
One of my favorite artists is Louise Nevelson, who was born in what is now Ukraine. She created these incredible wood installations using discarded materials from around New York’s Meatpacking District, and she inspired so many designers and artists I love.
I’d love to go to Budapest with her — not just for the food, but for the art and culture — to learn about her origin story and what inspired her creatively.
