Rick Stein in Glasgow for Food Stories latest episode and eats his way around local favourites

TV presenter and renowned chef Rick Stein heads to Glasgow for the latest episode of his new series Food Stories which airs tonight (February 27) on BBC 2.

The celebrity chef visits some hidden gems around the city, discovers the story of Italian food in Glasgow, and tries what he says is the “best chocolate he’s ever had”.

The thrilling episode, which is available on iPlayer but airs tonight at 6.30 pm, sees Rick enjoy lunch with Giovanna Eusebi at Eusebi Deli in the west end, with the popular Italian-Scottish cafe owner serving up Maria’s carciofi – a recipe taught to her by her grandmother – as well as some background on why the city was so open to Italian immigrants and their families.

From there he heads south to discover the delights of the “microcosm of modern multicultural Glasgow that is Govanhill’ with a stop at Gomo Kimchi, where owner Eddie, who is originally from Seattle, is described by a “one-man band doing delicious soul style kimchi” by food author and Glasgow guide Ben Mervis.

The pair also enjoy a mouth-watering visit to Big Counter on Victoria Road, where they meet husband and wife team John and Claire, and tiny daughter Lynn, and enjoy “comfort food made with the best Scottish ingredients”.

Parveen at Civic House in Spier’s Wharf is the next destination, where they then meet sisters Fariya and Sahar who introduce them to their modern vegan Pakistani-inspired food.

But it’s the visit to Bare Bones Chocolate, where owners Cameron and Lara let Rick try their ‘bean to bar chocolate’ that leads him to declare it the “best chocolate he’s ever tasted”.

Finally, he stops off for a “showstopping Knickerbocker Glory” at University Cafe, made for him by the fourth-generation Verracchia family.

A very happy Rick reveals that his visit has shown him how “diverse the cooking is in Glasgow” and that it is “a great city to eat some really fantastic food”.

He adds that the city is packed with people creating the food they love, stating: “They are bringing their own culinary heritage from far and wide and through sheer hard work producing bars, cafes and restaurants that are personal but very exciting as well.”

You can watch the episode on BBC2 tonight at 6.30 or it’s available to stream on iPlayer now.

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