Andrew Zimmern to speak at OHIO on Oct. 19 as part of Kennedy Lecture Series

Ohio University's Kennedy Lecture Series will present “An Evening with Andrew Zimmern,” on Monday, Oct. 19.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Baker University Center Ballroom. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

Zimmern has spent decades proving that food can be a powerful force for cultural understanding and social change.

An Emmy-winning and James Beard Award-winning television host, chef and food advocate, Zimmern brings boundless curiosity and deep empathy to his exploration of global cuisine on his acclaimed shows, including the Bizarre Foods franchise, The Zimmern List, What’s Eating America, Family Dinner, and Wild Game Kitchen. His work extends far beyond television into restaurants, publishing and philanthropy, all driven by his conviction that shared culinary experiences can bridge divides and create lasting change.

Zimmern has authored five books that bring his global food experiences and cultural insights to readers, including “The Bizarre Truth” (2009), offering behind-the-scenes glimpses of his favorite destinations, the Gold IPPY Award-winning fiction “AZ and the Lost City of Ophir” (2019), and his latest work, “The Blue Food Cookbook” (October 2025), that serves as a complimentary publication to his documentary series Hope in the Water. You can read more about Zimmern here.

Ohio University’s Kennedy Lecture Series was established in 1962 by a gift from OHIO alumni and stalwart supporters Edwin L. and Ruth Kennedy. The lecture series aims to bring speakers who appeal to a broad cross-section of the OHIO community to the University to discuss significant issues in American life.

All students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to attend the Oct. 19 lecture. For more information, see the Kennedy Lecture Series website.