Chef Eric Ripert's Emmy award-winning television series Avec Eric returns this weekend for a second season with a 13-episode run. Guest stars include Anthony Bourdain, Gail Simmons, David Chang, and Grant Achatz. This season sees Ripert visiting New York, California, Virginia, Grand Cayman, and Colonnata, Italy. In episode one, "Least Deadliest Catch," Ripert harvests soft shell crabs in the Chesapeake Bay.
The description for episode three, "Everything Is Better with Bacon," reads: "Eric visits a mountaintop village in Italy where he learns all about making and eating lardo. At his restaurant, the pastry chef prepares Bacon Ice Cream and Fig dessert." We hope this means an appearance by executive pastry chef and friend of Eater Michael Laiskonis.
Bizarrely, there's no mention of the new season anywhere on the Avec Eric website. Premieres Saturday on WLIW in New York (12 PM) and KQED in San Francisco (2:30 PM), and Monday on KOCE in Los Angeles (11 AM). There is a handy station guide to find airtimes, but do check your local listings.
· Avec Eric Videos [YouTube]
· All Eric Ripert Coverage on Eater [-E-]
· All Avec Eric Coverage on Eater [-E-]