Adam Richman's Visit to Penn

It was with great excitement that University City welcomed Adam Richman, host of the Travel Channel’s Man v. Food, to the Penn Bookstore. YOUCIE (Young Friends of University City) hosted the event with catering by Baby Blues BBQ and Penne Restaurant. Although Richman was thirty minutes late due to getting lost in Philadelphia, the audience of more than 250 foodies of all ages was enthusiastic upon his arrival.

Richman was at Penn promoting his new book, America the Edible: A Hungry History, from Sea to Dining Sea. He began the presentation with various anecdotes, retracing his passion for food. During his childhood, his first time tasting Italian, Greek, and Indian dishes was when he was in his friends’ grandmothers’ houses. It was here he realized how food broke cultural barriers and united people: “They were immigrants not making much money, but their food brought them together.” Richman’s passion for food continued into his college years in Atlanta, where he maintained a diary about his experiences and reactions for foods from different restaurants. For him, food was “a point of direction”.

After excerpting a section about the history of the bagel from his new book, he went on to emphasize the importance of food. He stressed the power of food over the centuries: “war, religion, agriculture, weather patterns… it’s all packeted into these little morsels of food.” Richman encouraged people to look past what was simply on the plate and to see the history behind it. He left a lasting message with the audience, saying, “I’ve always believed food has the potential to be a kickass thing. But I also hope your love for it inspires each and every one of you to have and appreciate every one of your food experiences and adventures.”