the foodhunter

the film

the serie

the discoveries

Out for Asia’s Culinary Treasures

a series of documentaries 5 x 26 Minutes, 5 x 28’30 Minutes, 4 x 43 Minutes
produced for SWR in collaboration with ARTE

1/5 The Foodhunter in Northern India
2/5 The Foodhunter in Southern India
3/5 The Foodhunter in Thailand and Laos
4/5 The Foodhunter in Northern Vietnams
5/5 The Foodhunter in Southern Vietnams

New series (2009):

1/2 The Foodhunter in China – Part 1
2/2 The Foodhunter in China – Part 2

Mark Brownstein, an American based in Hong Kong, has an unusual profession - he explores Asia for new foods, dishes, tastes or flavours and introduces them to creative chefs around the world. On his sometimes adventurous journeys Mark Brownstein comes across rare delicacies. Many of his food finds are unknown even to specialists on Asian cuisine.

In 2007, we accompanied the professional food scout to India, Thailand, Laos and to Vietnam. We produced four/five-part series for the German broadcaster SWR and the German-French broadcaster ARTE. The ‘Foodhunter’ format encompasses food, travelogue and culture. It is an entertaining declaration of love for Asian food.

The films alternate between remote and rural areas which Mark explores for ingredients and mega cities like Hong Kong, Bangkok or Shanghai, where he sells his discoveries to high-class restaurants. Mark Brownstein is as at home in dusty villages as he is in glamorous restaurants.

Big chefs are constantly looking for the new and ingenious flavours, but they do not have time to travel. Mark is their researcher. He travels by plane, boat, motor bike or on foot, frequently to remote places looking for unknown ingredients, foods, spices or recipes. Wherever he is, Mark is inspired by street food.

Mark is an enthusiastic and likeable protagonist. He takes the viewer with him through the culinary universe of Asia. With him we explore the cuisines of India, Thailand and Vietnam - currently enjoying popularity.

Two new 43 minute episodes (2009) accompany the Foodhunter in China.

© 2007/09 SWR/ ARTE/ Along Mekong Productions

Written and directed by
Bernd Girrbach and Rolf Lambert
Camera: Alok Upadhyay, Cutter: Mathews Anthony,
Editor: Ulrike Becker
A Co-production of Along Mekong with SWR and ARTE,
© 2007 and 2009/10

back to foodhunter's