Travel and good food naturally go together. Part of the allure of travel is the opportunity to explore not just new lands but the peoples who inhabit them, seeing how they live, work, eat and play. We discover delightful and delicious differences, but even more important, we discover how much we have in common. Sitting down to break bread with those of another culture allows us to share not only basic sustenance but also the traditions behind the dishes on the table: the history of the recipe, the ties to the culture and even the memories of past meals and friends and family not physically present. Scanning the offerings from the Food Network and the Travel Channel shows that programmers identify and use this link to create popular programs which combine elements of travel and dining. I recently came across a new program, Breaking Borders, which does just this, but it adds an intriguing element in exploring long-existing conflicts between groups of people and bringing them together over a meal. Produced by the Travel Channel and airing on Sunday nights, the “hosts” are veteran journalist Mariana van Zeller and chef Michael Voltaggio. The network’s description best sums up the basics of each show: “In each episode, Mariana and Michael take viewers on a journey through a different country in conflict. They meet people affected by the unrest while exploring the history and culture that has created it. As Mariana digs deeper into the issues, Michael goes on a culinary adventure, collecting ideas and ingredients to create an unbelievable meal inspired by the people he has met.” So far, the two episodes which have aired visited Israel and Belfast, while future programs travel to Cairo, Sarajevo, Cuba, Rwanda and Cambodia. The first 45 minutes of each hour-long program introduce viewers to individuals on each side of the conflict as well as provide historical background and glimpses into the culture and culinary traditions. My only complaint is that I wish more time, rather than the mere last quarter of the show, was devoted to the actual meal and discussion between the participants. The individuals representing the opposing “sides” of the conflict are articulate, passionate, thoughtful people who, in the end, seem to really want the same thing: peace and justice for all the people in their country. Van Zeller notes that while there have been heated exchanges and very tense moments during the meals, they were always able to keep everyone at the table. In most cases, when the meal was over and the filming done, the guests hugged each other and exchanged contact information. Diners express the hope that such meals, multiplied many times over, could be the best means to easing conflict and finding common ground. For those watching, it provides a chance to go beyond the headlines and understand more completely how those who live in these troubled places are affected, and how they are not very different from each other — or us. I would encourage you to give this program a look; I guarantee you will come away with a better understanding of places you may have visited or read about and the conflicts they live with daily. — Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor