Study Buddy (Explorer): Netflix food show host Phil Rosenthal thrives with an audience – he’s coming to Hong Kong for show

[2] In 2015, he hosted the travel and food series I’ll Have What Phil’s Having. Episode four was filmed in Hong Kong, and it showed Rosenthal dining on dim sum and seafood. 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 said. “Of all the places on my tour, I’m most excited to return to Hong Kong.”

[3] He has fun memories of the city. “We were filming at a hotpot restaurant, and there were thousand-year-old eggs, cut in half on the table,” he said, referring to the 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.”

[4] Other dishes left a better taste. “I love the pork bao at Tim Ho Wan and the freshest seafood ever at Gateway Cuisine. And the food at Yardbird was incredible,” he said, referring to a modern Japanese restaurant that specialises in yakitori dishes. “I’ll need to revisit all of them and can’t wait to see what’s new too.”

[5] He is a natural at presenting unscripted food and travel shows, but Rosenthal – who also created the hit comedy show, Everybody Loves Raymond – said he used to get stage fright when acting in plays and films. Still, he thrives when he can interact with the audience. “I’m just myself, and I really enjoy being with the people who have come to see the show,” he said. “I’m very appreciative.”

[6] His philanthropic work includes Somebody Feed the People, an initiative of the Rosenthal Family Foundation that supports organisations that are 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.”

[7] “An Evening with Phil Rosenthal Live in Hong Kong” is on October 11 at 8pm in Kowloon Bay International Trade & Exhibition Centre. Tickets are HK$488, HK$588, HK$688 and HK$888.
Source: South China Morning Post, September 18

1. Based on your understanding of paragraph 1, what does “wears many hats” suggest about Rosenthal?

2. What does “the city” in paragraph 2 refer to?

3. Decide whether the following statements about Rosenthal are True, False or the information is Not Given in paragraphs 3 and 4. (4 marks)
(i) Rosenthal was worried about trying the century egg.
(ii) It was the first time he ate in a hotpot restaurant.
(iii) He prefers pork bao to shrimp dumplings.
(iv) He enjoyed his meal at Yardbird.

4. What sort of food does Yardbird serve according to paragraph 4?

5. In paragraph 5, the phrase “a natural at presenting unscripted food and travel shows” suggests that Rosenthal ...
A. puts a lot of effort into it.
B. has a talent for it.
C. is very knowledgeable about it.
D. all of the above

6. What does Somebody Feed the People do according to paragraph 6?

7. In paragraph 6, Somebody Feed Phil The Book is a ...
A. cookbook.
B. biography.
C. travel guide.
D. children’s book.

8. Based on paragraph 6, how is Rosenthal likely to be different to his daughter?

9. How much does the least expensive ticket to the show cost according to paragraph 7?

1. He has many different jobs.
2. Hong Kong
3. (i) F; (ii) NG; (iii) NG; (iv) T
4. modern Japanese / yakitori dishes
5. B
6. It supports organisations building communities through food.
7. A
8. He probably eats everything while his daughter won’t try anything.
9. HK$488