Antoni Porowski, the beloved food and wine expert from Queer Eye, is trading the makeover loft for a passport. National Geographic has tapped the Emmy winner to host Best of the World with Antoni Porowski, a new travel series that promises to uncover the soul of four iconic cities: New York, London, Paris, and Mexico City.
The show, based on National Geographic's trusted Best of the World brand, will go beyond typical tourist traps. Porowski aims to showcase each destination through the lens of human stories, blending classic landmarks with off-the-beaten-path discoveries. In an exclusive chat with Collider, he shared his approach: “I know they wanted to lean into my perspective and how I experience the city and things that make me light up. You want to do the classic staple things that everyone knows and loves. It's tried, tested, and true. But the best discoveries I've ever made are when I get lost on some little street.”
What to Expect from the Series
Each of the four episodes will dive deep into food, wellness, and unique local experiences. Porowski's culinary background ensures a heavy focus on cuisine, but not just the Michelin-starred restaurants. He explains, “Food can mean a Michelin or multi-Michelin star restaurant. But it can also mean a cantina or a quick little stop on the way that's selling a little sandwich that not a lot of people may know about.” Viewers can expect to explore 24/7 shops that haven't locked their doors in decades and fusion eateries blending flavors from different continents.
Wellness is another key theme. Porowski sought out activities that promote physical and mental health, from a serene spa on Governors Island in New York to a surreal cold plunge swim in Canary Wharf, London's financial district. “Wellness can be a beautiful spa that you go to, not unlike the one that we actually visited when we were filming here in New York on Governors Island. But wellness can also mean cold plunge swimming in Canary Wharf in London, in the middle of the financial district, which was maybe one of the most surreal experiences I've ever had in my life,” he says.
The series also highlights hidden gems like Parque Ecológico de Xochimilco, a protected nature reserve within Mexico City's limits, alongside classic sights like Big Ben—but always with a twist. Porowski's multicultural upbringing in Montreal taught him to find calm in chaos, a skill he brings to the show. “That's where I thrived. I think that's why that chaos, it's not the mess itself, but it's just there's something about being lost in the mix,” he reflects.
Behind the scenes, Porowski acknowledges the massive effort that goes into production. “I might be the host of the show, but at the end of the day, [there are] so many people who are there to make sure that the table is set perfectly for the scene, to make sure the correspondent or person we're going to be meeting or interviewing is ready and has been prepared. I'm really lucky because, more often than not, I get to show up when everything is ready. But I always try to remember the people have been there literally for hours, actually weeks and months, setting everything up and getting locations and permits,” he says.
For fans of travel and food, this series is a must-watch this summer. If you're craving more exclusive content, check out our first look at summer 2026's hottest movies or get a sneak peek at Brooke Shields facing a deadly fan in 'You're Killing Me'.
