ilani Oktoberfest 2026
October 10

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Adam Richman’s passion for diverse culinary specialties and all things edible was ignited by his early experiences in the food mecca of NYC. A TV personality, executive producer and author, Adam can be found captivating audiences on the HISTORY Channel as a contributing expert to a number of shows including “Food That Built America.”, “The Toys That Built America”, “The Unbelievable With Dan Aykroyd” “Strange Fortune with Kevin Bacon” and “The Mega Brands That Built America”. Adam also hosted “Modern Marvels” and “Adam Eats The 80’s” for HISTORY.
Adam’s digital series, “Pro Moves” on the First We Feast YouTube platform is in its sixth season. In this series, Adam Richman shares the tips, tricks, and insider information needed to get the most out of any eating experience. From how to spot the freshest pie at the pizzeria, to the best way to navigate the complexities of a steakhouse menu.
This summer, Adam could be seen on ITV as their NY correspondent for the World Cup games in New York. He continues to be an ongoing presence on Food Network UK with multiple seasons of his “Adam Eats” airing alongside the ever popular, “Man v Food.”
Lastly, Adam has his own burger stand, “Adam Richman’s Burger Hall of Fame” in section 105 of CitiField for his beloved Mets.

Travel Channel and Beyond
Widely known as the host of one of the Travel Channel’s highest rated shows, “Man v. Food,” Adam also hosted the network’s “Secret Eats with Adam Richman.” Adam also hosted and co-executive produced “Man v. Food Nation,” “Adam Richman’s Best Sandwich in America,” “Fandemonium” and hosted NBC’s food competition show “Food Fighters.” His most recent cookbook with Clarkston Potter is "Straight-Up Tasty: Meals, Memories, and Mouthfuls from My Travels."
Building his TV résumé, subsequently Adam assumed hosting and co-executive producing duties on “Man V. Food Nation,” “Adam Richman’s Best Sandwich in America,” “Fandemonium,” and “Man Finds Food” (2015) on Travel Channel, as well as “Secret Eats with Adam Richman” on Travel Channel (2016) and on Cooking Channel (2017-2018).
In 2014, Adam hosted NBC’s successful food competition show “Food Fighters,” which aired for two seasons. Under his County of Kings production company banner and in conjunction with Whizz Kidd Entertainment, in 2015 he co-created and co-executive produced “BBQ Champ” for ITV in the UK. It has since aired across New Zealand, Asia, Italy and Canada, and as a localized adaptation in Brazil.
Adam has been featured on national broadcast shows including "The Today Show," "Good Morning America," “LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan,” "The Kelly Clarkson Show," "Access Hollywood," and many more.

Around the Corner and Across the World
Long before discovering his thirst for travel, Adam had access to authentic delicacies from around the globe, all within the borders of his diverse Brooklyn neighborhood. However, it was cooking a plain cheese omelet with his Aunt Anne that became a defining moment of his early years. Watching simple ingredients such as eggs and American cheese magically transform from basic staples into a versatile composed dish was revelatory for a young Adam and ignited his fascination with the culinary world.
As an undergraduate at Emory University in Atlanta, Adam began keeping a journal to document the standout food establishments he discovered throughout the Southeast. Though he majored in International Studies, his passion for all things edible naturally drew him towards the food industry after graduation. Thereafter, he built a solid résumé working in nearly every echelon of the restaurant world, from coast-to-coast, receiving a complete 360-degree industry perspective. Adam variously served as host, busboy, waiter, line cook, catering manager and barback, and even trained as a sushi chef, gaining invaluable on-the-job experience and a holistic knowledge of what it takes to run a restaurant.
Ultimately, Adam returned to school and received a master’s degree in Fine Art from Yale University’s School of Drama. Subsequently he traveled the country with a regional theater company, instinctively seeking out the best local dishes across America and recording his discoveries in his food journal along the way. In 2008, with nearly 13 years’ worth of his personally documented restaurant finds at his disposal, Adam’s culinary and theatrical aspirations fused when he began hosting Travel Channel’s “Man V. Food.” When the show became an immediate success, Adam quickly gained national recognition as the popular face and personality of one of the network’s highest rated programs.

Screen, Page and Stage
Adam’s first book, America the Edible (Rodale Publishing, 2010), offered a behind-the-scenes look at his adventures traveling – and eating, of course - across the US. In 2015, inspired by the many great cuisines sampled during his travels, Adam penned his first cookbook, Straight Up Tasty (Clarkson Potter), featuring his signature take on globally-inspired comfort food. Always restlessly creative, Adam has drawn upon his fine arts roots to act in numerous theater productions in New York City, and has appeared on a wide range of TV shows. In 2016, he co-produced the New York and London runs of the play, Stalking the Bogeyman.
A die-hard supporter of the Tottenham Hotspur Football Club and ardent fan of the New York Yankees and Miami Dolphins, Adam currently resides in New York, and is an avid collector of sneakers, ties, magnets and artisanal coffee.