Campus Eats

Campus Eats is a unique and engaging television show that first aired in 2016. The show is a part of the Big Ten Network's original programming and does a brilliant job of exploring the diverse culinary scenes available in the campuses of Big Ten Universities, thus making it an exciting viewing experience for food enthusiasts and fans of the major universities alike.

Expanding over several seasons, the show delves into the inviting eateries, restaurants, cafés, and food trucks scattered across the campuses of the fourteen different Big Ten Universities. Categorized within the lifestyle and culinary genres, the food exploration does not merely stop at the campus boundaries but also reaches into the local towns, highlighting the interconnectedness of campus life with the surrounding community.

Hosted by exciting duo Troy Johnson, a notable food critic, and Jenny Dell, a sports broadcaster, Campus Eats is much more than a simple show about food. Each episode of the show focuses on a specific Big Ten University, giving the audience a glimpse of campus life and local food culture. But what sets this show apart is the relationship it draws between the culinary creations it portrays and the larger cultural context of each university. The food is presented as part of the broader identity of each campus and its history, Stadium and fraternity foods, farm-to-table dishes, and alumni favorites are all featured, detailing the connection between food and traditions of each institution.

Johnson and Dell do an exceptional job of bringing viewers on a culinary adventure, a journey that goes beyond just tasting food. They interview students, faculty, alumni, chefs, and restaurant owners, providing viewers with a background story behind each cherished food item. Recognizing food as a binding factor of any community, Campus Eats encapsulates the shared experiences, memories, and traditions that surround each culinary discovery.

While food remains the centerpiece of the show, Campus Eats infuses elements of travel, culture, and sports into its episodes. Each university and its town are showcased in all their glory, showing not only the restaurants but the iconic landmarks, sports arenas, and aspects of student life. The audience is privy to an intimate tour of each university locale.

The show succeeds in catering to a diverse set of individuals, not limiting itself to those interested in food but also showcasing aspects that would interest sports fans and travel enthusiasts. Whether you're a fan of the Big Ten, foodie, past student wanting to soak in some nostalgia, or future student trying to get a taste of campus life, Campus Eats has something to offer you.

The episodes, apart from offering mouth-watering glimpses of food items like Wisconsin's famous fried cheese or Maryland's tasty crab cakes, also serve up interesting tidbits about the food's history, preparation, and what makes it distinctive to its specific location. The student populations' multicultural influence can also be seen on the variety of food highlighted throughout the series, ranging from traditional American dishes to Asian, European, and Latin American cuisines.

In short, Campus Eats goes beyond the confines of a just a food show. It is a fascinating blend of food, culture, and community presented through the lens of a university campus. While watching the series, an audience member is at once a food connoisseur, a willing participant of university traditions, and a travel enthusiast. Campus Eats invites its viewers onto the campuses of the Big Ten Universities to discover the stories, traditions, and culinary delights that help shape their identities.