What Is The One Thing Andrew Zimmern Won't Eat? The Surprising Truth

Andrew Zimmern, as a matter of fact, is quite the celebrity chef and a familiar face on television, having appeared on numerous shows that bring food to life for viewers everywhere. He's also, arguably, put out many cookbooks, sharing his unique culinary perspective with countless home cooks and food enthusiasts. It's almost, you know, hard to believe how popular he is, too, with over 3 million followers on Twitter, making him one of the most followed people there, which is pretty cool.

He's really, truly, known for his adventurous eating, for pushing the boundaries of what most people might consider edible, so it's quite a shock to hear about any foods he dislikes. For many years, viewers have watched him on shows like "Bizarre Foods," where he has eaten, well, just about anything that once walked, crawled, swam, slithered, or even shimmied its way across the globe. Yet, despite this rather wild reputation, there are, indeed, a few things that Andrew Zimmern simply won't put in his mouth, which is a bit of a twist, isn't it?

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Table of Contents

• Andrew Zimmern: A Brief Look
• Understanding Andrew Zimmern's Culinary Philosophy
• The Surprising Foods Andrew Zimmern Won't Eat
• The Worst Foods Andrew Zimmern Has Eaten
• A Rare Illness from the Show
• Frequently Asked Questions About Andrew Zimmern's Eating Habits

Andrew Zimmern: A Brief Look

Andrew Zimmern is, you know, a pretty big name in the culinary world, and his work has, arguably, left a significant mark on how many people view food and culture. He's not just a chef; he's also a television personality who has brought many fascinating food stories into our homes. His shows, especially "Bizarre Foods," have, in a way, opened up a whole new world of eating for millions of viewers, showing them things they might never have imagined. He's also, very much, a prolific author, sharing his wisdom and experiences through numerous cookbooks, which is pretty neat.

He's got a huge following on social media, too, with over 3 million followers on Twitter, which just goes to show how much people connect with his adventurous spirit and his thoughts on food. It's clear that his influence stretches far beyond the kitchen, reaching into discussions about culture, travel, and even social issues. He's, in short, a figure who truly embodies the idea of food as a universal language, capable of bridging gaps and fostering understanding, and that's something really special, actually.

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Understanding Andrew Zimmern's Culinary Philosophy

Before we, you know, really get into the specific foods that Andrew Zimmern just won't eat, it's pretty important, actually, to get a good grasp of his overall culinary philosophy. This chef is, in a way, a firm believer in the sheer importance of cultural immersion. He feels that when you travel, you really should try to understand and respect the traditions and customs of the places you visit, and food is a big part of that, too. He has, often, said that food is a universal language, something that can, basically, connect people from all walks of life, bridging divides in a truly remarkable way.

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To grasp why there are, indeed, certain foods Andrew Zimmern will not eat, it's quite essential, perhaps, to consider his deep-seated culinary philosophy. Zimmern, you see, believes very strongly in the power of food to connect cultures and to promote understanding across the globe. He advocates, quite passionately, for embracing culinary diversity, for appreciating all the different tastes and textures the world has to offer. He also believes, quite firmly, in respecting traditional food practices, no matter how unusual they might seem to an outsider, and that's a pretty noble stance, isn't it?

His work on shows like "Bizarre Foods" really showcases this philosophy, as he goes to great lengths to experience and share the unique foodways of different communities. He's not just eating strange things for shock value; he's, in fact, trying to understand the cultural significance behind each dish. This commitment to cultural respect and open-mindedness is, arguably, what makes his eventual "won't eat" list so incredibly surprising, because you'd think, wouldn't you, that he'd eat just about anything, more or less.

The Surprising Foods Andrew Zimmern Won't Eat

For someone who has, literally, eaten things that would make most people gasp, it's quite astonishing to learn that Andrew Zimmern actually has a few everyday items he simply refuses to consume. In a Twitter post from 2017, he, very clearly, revealed some of these unexpected dislikes. He stated, rather directly, that he doesn't eat walnuts, raw cookie dough, and hot oatmeal. It's almost, you know, hard to reconcile this with his adventurous public persona, but there it is, straight from the source.

He didn't just stop at listing them, either. In an interview with People magazine, he added, quite emphatically, "Won't eat 'em, can't stand 'em." This pretty strong declaration shows that these aren't just mild preferences; they're, in fact, genuine aversions for him. So, while many viewers might first think of some of the more questionable bits of an animal when they consider the worst foods Andrew Zimmern has ever eaten on his trips for "Bizarre Foods," the truth is, his personal dislikes are far more mundane, which is, in a way, rather amusing.

It might seem like there's, literally, not a thing Andrew Zimmern won't eat, given his reputation on the Travel Channel and in culinary circles around the globe. He, too, is likely to eat anything, and he, too, has millions of viewers screaming out in shock, much like the lovable kid in those commercials from back in the day, exclaiming, "He really likes it!" But that's, in fact, not the whole truth. His aversion to these seemingly harmless foods, like the humble walnut or a comforting bowl of hot oatmeal, just goes to show that everyone, even the most adventurous eaters, has their own particular boundaries, and that's perfectly okay, too.

The Worst Foods Andrew Zimmern Has Eaten

As the creator of the "Bizarre Foods" series, Andrew Zimmern has, without a doubt, had his fair share of truly unusual meals. He's tried a heck of a lot of things, you know, that many of us wouldn't even want to be in the same room with, let alone put in our mouths. He ate most of them, too, including, rather famously, very ripe cheese that had maggots in it, which sounds pretty wild, doesn't it? He's also, apparently, been known to hold a whole iguana over flames until its skin is burnt off, preparing it for consumption, and that's a pretty intense way to cook, to be honest.

However, when he was asked about the absolute worst things he's ever eaten on his trips for "Bizarre Foods," he told The Washington Post something quite surprising. One of the worst things, he said, was as vegan as it gets. This is, in a way, a truly unexpected answer from someone known for consuming animal parts that most would shy away from. It just goes to show that "worst" doesn't always mean "most disgusting" in the traditional sense; sometimes, it's about flavor or texture that just doesn't sit right, and that's, you know, a very personal thing.

This particular revelation highlights the distinction between a food he won't eat due to personal aversion, like walnuts, and a food he found to be genuinely unpleasant, even if he did consume it for the show. He has, after all, eaten a lot of weird foods for our entertainment and for the sake of cultural exploration. From anything that once walked, crawled, swam, slithered, or shimmied its way into his view, he's probably tried it, so his "worst" list is, arguably, a very exclusive club, and the fact that a vegan dish made it is, perhaps, quite telling.

A Rare Illness from the Show

It's pretty wild to think about, but the intense experiences Andrew Zimmern went through for his show, "Bizarre Foods," actually led to him developing a rare illness. The show, you see, gave him something called Burning Mouth Syndrome. This condition, as the name suggests, causes a persistent burning sensation in the mouth, which must be, you know, incredibly uncomfortable, especially for someone whose entire career revolves around tasting and experiencing food.

This is, in a way, a testament to the sheer dedication and the physical toll that his adventurous eating lifestyle has taken on him. It's not just about trying unusual foods; sometimes, there are genuine health consequences that come with such extreme culinary explorations. The fact that he continued to work and share his passion for food, even while dealing with this condition, is, arguably, pretty admirable, showing a deep commitment to his craft and his audience, which is, you know, quite something.

Elizabeth Vargas, for instance, had a conversation with Andrew Zimmern where she thanked him for talking about his fight and his passion, not just about the disease of addiction, but also about so many other things in our country. It's been wonderful, she said, talking to him. Elizabeth Vargas also extended her thanks for listening to their talk today with Andrew Zimmern, which shows, in some respects, how his personal struggles and insights extend beyond just food, touching on broader, more human experiences. You can learn more about culinary insights and unique food journeys, too, on other platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions About Andrew Zimmern's Eating Habits

People often wonder about the limits of Andrew Zimmern's adventurous palate, and for good reason, you know, given his reputation.

What are the three things Andrew Zimmern won't eat?

Andrew Zimmern, as a matter of fact, revealed in a 2017 Twitter post that he doesn't eat walnuts, raw cookie dough, and hot oatmeal. He even added in an interview with People magazine that he "won't eat 'em, can't stand 'em," which is, you know, pretty definitive, isn't it?

What disease did Andrew Zimmern get?

The show "Bizarre Foods," surprisingly, gave Andrew Zimmern a rare illness called Burning Mouth Syndrome. This condition, basically, causes a persistent burning sensation in the mouth, which must be, arguably, quite challenging for a chef, and you can learn more about food and health on our site, too.

Is there anything bizarre foods’ Andrew Zimmern won’t eat?

While Andrew Zimmern has, quite famously, eaten a lot of truly weird foods for "Bizarre Foods," there are, indeed, a few things he personally won't eat, like walnuts, raw cookie dough, and hot oatmeal. He also, surprisingly, mentioned that one of the worst things he ever ate was a vegan dish, which is pretty unexpected, too, for someone known for eating all sorts of animal parts, and you can also link to this page for more surprising food facts.