Florida for foodies: Jimmy’s Taste of Florida to air on ITV

VISIT FLORIDA has unveiled Jimmy’s Taste of Florida – a new five-part food travelogue series with TV presenter and farmer, Jimmy Doherty, that will air in the UK starting next week.

The series will air on ITV from February 12-16 at 14:00.

In classic food travelogue style, Doherty cooks and eats his way around some of Florida’s top destinations and landscapes.

Highlights include sharing food stories with an astronaut at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, racing the fastest oyster shucker in the US in Panama City Beach, and zipping through the Everglades on an airboat.

He explores Florida’s culinary scene and its influences from Southern, Creole, Caribbean, Hispanic and European cuisines.

He serves up dishes from kitchens in Pensacola and Orlando as well as at campfires in New Smyrna Beach.

In all, Doherty visits 10 Florida locations, covering favourites, such as Miami, Tampa, Universal Orlando, plus lesser-known areas including Anna Maria Island and St. Petersburg.

“I love the US but didn’t know Florida well, so I jumped at the chance to explore a favourite holiday destination for Brits,” Doherty said.

“Florida has a great food story to tell. I’m a cook rather than a chef, so I was on the lookout for simple, accessible, easy dishes that anyone can have a go at.”

Itineraries following Jimmy’s footsteps:

EPISODE 1 – Pensacola and Panama City Beach

Fly from London Heathrow on September 24, 2024, with three nights at the Hilton Pensacola Beach and three nights at the Hyatt Place, Panama City Beach. This package costs from £1,699pp based on two adults and includes flights (indirect with Delta Air Lines), room-only accommodation, and fully inclusive car hire. Trailfinders.com

EPISODE 2 – Kennedy Space Centre & New Smyrna Beach

From London Heathrow to Orlando on May 20, 2024, staying three nights at the Courtyard by Marriott Titusville (for Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex) and four nights at the Best Western New Smyrna Beach Hotel & Suites. This package costs from £839pp, based on a family of four (two adults/two children), and includes flights (Delta Air Lines) and room-only accommodation. www.ocean-holidays.co.uk

EPISODE 3 – St. Pete/Clearwater and Tampa Bay

Fly from London Heathrow on May 6, 2024, with seven nights at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort, Clearwater Beach, and two nights at The Current Hotel Autograph Collection, in Tampa Bay. Package priced from £985pp, based on a family of four (two adults/two children) and includes return flights (Virgin Atlantic) and room-only accommodation. Travelplanners.co.uk

EPISODE 4 – Westgate River Ranch and Anna Maria Island

London Heathrow to Orlando in mid-September (flexible departure dates) with three nights room-only at the Westgate River Ranch, Central Florida, and four nights bed & breakfast at the Silver Surf Gulf Beach Resort on Anna Maria Island. This package costs from £1,245pp based on two adults and includes return flights (Virgin Atlantic), accommodation and seven days fully-inclusive car hire. Americaasyoulikeit.com

EPISODE 5 – Orlando (Universal) and Miami

Fly from London Heathrow to Orlando and stay 10 nights at Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites, and four nights at Ocean Five Hotel in Miami. This package costs from £1,170pp based on a family of four (two adults/two children) and includes return flights (Virgin Atlantic), room-only accommodation, Universal 3-Park Explorer tickets for four people, and one day car hire (between Orlando and Miami). VirginHolidays.co.uk 

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