Phil Rosenthal wears many hats: producer, author, creator. He is also a television host, best known for the Netflix series Somebody Feed Phil, which began airing in January 2018.
Combining his love of food and travel with a big dollop of his unique brand of humour, the Emmy-nominated show is heading into its seventh season.
Now he is returning to the city with a different format: a live show where he shares anecdotes from his travels. It will be held at Kitec, in Kowloon Bay, on October 11.
“I love Hong Kong and can’t wait to return and see my friends,” Rosenthal tells the South China Morning Post. “Of all the places on my tour, I’m most excited to return to Hong Kong.”
He has fun memories of the city.
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“We were filming at a hotpot restaurant and there were thousand-year-old eggs, cut in half on the table,” he says, referring to the Chinese delicacy, also known as century eggs.
“One of the guests was afraid to try them, so to show her it was no big deal, I popped a half egg into my mouth.
“It was too much for me but my reaction was so funny to the crew, and especially my brother the producer, that we kept it in the show.”
Other dishes left a better taste.
While a natural at presenting unscripted food and travel shows, Rosenthal – who also created the hit CBS comedy Everybody Loves Raymond – says he used to get stage fright when acting in plays and films but thrives when he can interact with the audience.
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“I’m just myself and I really enjoy being with the people who have come to see the show,” he says. “I’m very appreciative.”
His philanthropic work includes Somebody Feed the People, an initiative of the Rosenthal Family Foundation that supports organisations building communities through food.
And his list of achievements does not end there. Last year, Rosenthal released Somebody Feed Phil The Book, which made The New York Times’ bestseller list.
Another cookbook is on the way. “It’s a children’s book I wrote with my daughter, Lily, called Just Try It!, which is about a dad who eats everything while his daughter won’t try anything.”
“An Evening with Phil Rosenthal Live In Hong Kong”, October 11, 8pm, Kowloon Bay International Trade & Exhibition Centre, Kowloon Bay.
For tickets (HK$488, HK$588, HK$688 and HK$888), go to premier.hkticketing.com.