Chef David Chang Hits the Road Across America in CNN’s “The Detour with David Chang”

David Chang trades algorithms for spontaneity in a six-part road-trip series that celebrates America’s culinary detours—one unexpected bite at a time.

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A Road Trip Reinvented: Discovery Over Design

Premiering September 20, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET/PT, “The Detour with David Chang” reimagines the modern food show as a road-trip fueled by spontaneity rather than social media algorithms . In Chang’s own words, “Everything’s on the table”—a philosophy that drives him to bypass producers’ suggestions and follow instinct, sometimes to the dismay of his crew . This approach is a deliberate rejection of curated experiences, favoring serendipity and human connection over viral trends.

Companions and Culinary Crossroads

Each episode pairs Chang with a different companion—ranging from Oscar-winning filmmaker Cord Jefferson in Las Vegas to Milk Bar founder Christina Tosi in Tennessee—offering varied perspectives and local insight . Together, they explore multicultural cuisines: Haitian food in Miami, Czech pastries in Texas, Filipino fare in Las Vegas, and Ethiopian dishes discovered via a taxi driver’s tip . These encounters underscore the series’ commitment to authentic, place-based experiences.