Like spicy food? Enjoy traveling? The Travel Channel has the cure for you.

Adam Richman understands the value of both, and he’s tackling America, one bite at a time, on Man vs. Food.

Every week the Yale grad, who has been keeping a food journal since 1995, tackles the greatest diners, steakhouses, pubs and cafés across the U.S., meeting the local moms and pops who tell the story of their towns through their cuisine, and wrapping up each episode with the real reason viewers are watching: a mammoth food challenge.

“I have become a ninja with these challenges,” Richman says of his burger-eating, sandwich gulping feats that would make most hurl. “The single greatest tool is exercise, just to rev my metabolism. The night before a challenge I work out like a beast.”

Of course, not all of Richman’s challenges involve eating a specific quality. After working with an Indonesian chef, Richman has learned to actually taste different types of hot peppers, rather than just feel the heat. As a result, he’s managed to successfully take on something called a ghost chili, the world’s hottest pepper, several times.

“I know what to eat and what not to eat prior to a spicy challenge so I can revel in the food,” he explains.

With all the munching and chopping, you would think health should be a high priority for the host. He’s the first to admit this show is about indulging sometimes, and not every single day like some U.S. citizens are in the habit of doing.

“At no point do I or the network or the show espouse overeating,” he says. “These are about once in a blue moon indulgences. If you take steps to stave off the adverse effects of things, you can have your cake and eat it too.”

And there’s a lot of cake to be had. As viewers submit more ideas on the series’ website and more restaurant owners vie to showcase their specialty dishes, myriad options are available in Season 2. In four days of research, the show’s production team had to sift through over 200 potential joints.

Unfortunately Man vs. Food is not yet available in Canada, but in the meantime, take a trip to Oahu for the “MAC Daddy pancakes,” San Francisco for the “Kitchen Sink,” or San Antonio for the “Four Horseman Burger.”

And remember to pack along some Tums.

Amber is currently reporting live from the TV Critics Press Tour in L.A. Check out complete coverage here. amber@tvguide.ca

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