The Next Thing You Eat

The Next Thing You Eat is a thought-provoking, fascinating, and highly relevant television docuseries premiered on Hulu in 2021. It sees world-renowned chef David Chang and the Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Morgan Neville team up to explore the seismic changes happening all around us in the food world. The six-episode series unpacks the most dynamic and game-changing factors that promise to transform what and how humans eat in the not-too-distant future.

Through the series, David Chang brings his culinary expertise and insatiable curiosity to the forefront as he confronts challenges, both in and out of the kitchen. These situations are illustrated vividly through his unique lens, and he glimpses into the future of the food industry, invoking thought and conversation around the topic. David not only serves as the host but also enters the fray, donning a chef's apron and immersing himself in the intricacies of creating and presenting visionary food.

The series pairs Chang's enthusiasm and culinary understanding with the storytelling prowess of Morgan Neville, the director known for captivating audiences with his engaging narrative structures, as seen in his Oscar-winning music documentary "20 Feet from Stardom" and the critically acclaimed Fred Rogers portrait "Won't You Be My Neighbor?". This powerful combination adds not only depth but a heightened level of intrigue and entertainment to this exciting exploration of future food.

The Next Thing You Eat dives into a variety of heavy, yet engaging, topics that significantly impact our food industry. These include everything from the explosive growth of food delivery, the dominance of processed foods, the impact and implications of lab-grown food, and the rise of automation and robotics in food preparation. The series strives to inform viewers of these ground-breaking shifts, their advantages, and possible downsides, positioning them within the wider context of ongoing global trends.

The series emphasizes the broad range of perspectives involved in these changes. Stories and insights emerge from a diverse group of players in the industry - scientists pioneering new techniques, farmers concerned with sustainability, restaurant owners grappling with new business models, and even everyday people simply trying to put a meal on the table in a rapidly changing world. This comprehensive approach paints a full, complex picture of the swiftly evolving culinary landscape.

Chang and the series' creators maintain an impressive balance between educating the audience and keeping them entertained. Each episode is packed with significant information yet manages to be digestible, making it approachable and enjoyable for all kinds of viewers, whether they’re food lovers, tech enthusiasts, or simply curious minds. The blend of interesting visuals, succinct narration, and a dash of humor enhances every episode's appeal.

While The Next Thing You Eat is undoubtedly informative and thought-provoking, it also goes a step further by prompting important conversations about society and our collective future. The show forces viewers to consider critical questions such as how these changes will impact the global economy, the class divisions, people’s health, and ultimately, the planet's well-being.

Overall, The Next Thing You Eat is an exhilarating exploration of the future of food that deftly combines Chang's culinary expertise and Neville's filmmaking talents. It takes viewers on a thrilling narrative journey through the heart of some of the biggest issues facing our food industry today and reveals both the shocking and the exciting elements of what it means to eat in the 21st century.

Then, in true David Chang fashion, it asks: What is the next thing you'll eat, and what would it mean for the world? It’s a question that seems simple on the surface but has profound implications as the series unfolds. So, if you’re interested in the intersection of food, technology, and sustainability – or you’re merely seeking to better comprehend what’s being served on our plates and why – this series is definitely worth your time.