Plot Synopsis

Correspondent Mariana van Zeller and Chef Michael Voltaggio gather people from both sides of real-world conflicts so they can share an amazing meal and an animated discussion about the issues that divide them, uncovering personal stories, perspectives and rich cultures in these well-known conflict zones. In each one-hour episode of BREAKING BORDERS, van Zeller and Voltaggio take viewers on a journey to meet residents affected by the unrest. They go into their homes and businesses, uncover their culinary cultures, likes and dislikes and learn how each respective cuisine helps define who they are. As van Zeller digs deeper into the issues, Voltaggio goes on a culinary adventure, collecting ideas and ingredients to create an unbelievable meal inspired by the people he has encountered along the way. In the premiere episode, van Zeller and Voltaggio travel to Israel and Palestine to take a closer look at the conflict and learn how it has shaped these nations. They meet people affected by the unrest in Jerusalem and the West Bank, and explore some of the holiest sites on Earth. Immersing themselves in the culture, they experience Jerusalem and the West Bank in a way that goes beyond the conflict, showcasing what makes this biblical region a truly unique place to visit. In subsequent episodes, Van Zeller and Voltaggio continue their travels into various conflict zones throughout the season to reveal the personal stories behind the story: they head to Belfast to understand what happened during the 30-year war in Northern Ireland between Catholic Republicans and Protestant Nationalists; travel to Cairo to explore the chaotic reality of the country post-Arab Spring; investigate the island and capital city of Cyprus divided by age-old enemies; crisscross Beirut and Tripoli to explore a country in paradox; and journey to Sarajevo to grasp how three distinct ethnic groups -- Serbs, Croats and Bosniaks -- co-exist in one city after civil war and ethnic cleansing. Additional locations featured in the series include Arizona/Mexico, Cambodia, Cuba, Kashmir, Myanmar/Burma, Rwanda and Sri Lanka.