Italian chef David Rocco embarks on an African culinary sojourn to explore the rich culinary culture of the world's oldest continent. In places which were once occupied by Italy, Rocco examines the Italian influence on the cuisine.

The remote town of Lalibela is considered one of the holiest places in the world, especially during Easter week celebrations. David takes in all the rituals and traditions as he visits monolithic churches and helps prepare for the traditional feast.

Lalibela is considered one of the holiest places in the world, especially during Easter week celebrations.

David Rocco's Dolce Africa

Last Supper In Lalibela, Ethiopia

David spends time with some of the locals to get their perspective on Lalibela and the city's hope for a bright future, while he learns how to make a traditional Ethiopian spice mix that’s a must in so many dishes.

David spends time with some of the locals in Lalibela Ethiopia.

Welcome To Lalibela, Ethiopia

Walking tours are all the rage in major metropolitan cities, and Durban is no different. Beset Durban is a free tour group operated by three young professionals, who take David on a private trek through their beloved city. They give David a crash course on some of the city's history, and check out some of the best local hotspots for delicious food. Through them, we learn about a city rich in culture and history, built on the backs of Indian immigrants, which is now currently experiencing an economic and social revitalization that you can feel on every street corner and with every food vendor.

Walking tours are all the rage in major metropolitan cities, and Durban is no different.

Walking Durban, South Africa

Local Chef Andrew Draper takes David on a culinary journey through his hometown of Durban, South Africa. From trendy cafes to massive street markets, they get a taste of how the locals eat. This tour ends with a party to celebrate Freedom Day.

Local Chef Andrew Draper takes David on a culinary journey through his hometown of Durban, South Africa.

Flavours of Durban, South Africa

David journeys off the beaten path in Zanzibar to the small fishing village of Jambiani, where the motto is “Pole-Pole” or “Slowly-slowly," and the people are warm and inviting. He spends the day with an Italian hotel owner who loved the island so much she made it her home 8 years ago. During his stay on the island, he witnesses the daily life of the locals, from seaweed harvesting in the vast shallow waters at low-tide, to spear fishing for fresh octopus, to grilling fresh seafood right on the beach.

David journeys off the beaten path in Zanzibar to the small fishing village of Jambiani.

Pole Pole Zanzibar

Upon arriving in Zanzibar, a picturesque island known for its vast white sand beaches and its cultural melting-pot of African and Arabic culture, David is enchanted by the local people and their laid-back way of life.

David meets a young business owner who is gaining success in the tourism industry.

Stone Town, Zanzibar

In the wake of a 7-year Italian occupation of Addis Ababa, a charming amount of Italian culture intertwines with the modern Ethiopia that the city now represents. David meets up with his friend Fabricio, a proud Italian who spent his childhood in Addis Ababa, and together they explore the remnants of a time long past. From espresso cafes to fine Italian eateries, Ethiopia’s capital has many unexpected surprises for Italians and Europeans alike.

A charming amount of Italian culture intertwines with the modern Ethiopia.

Ciao Ethiopia

David speaks with several of the diaspora, Ethiopian-born people who have spent most of their lives abroad and have recently moved back to the capital city Addis Ababa. He realizes that the true spirit of the country lies in the younger generations.

David speaks with Ethiopian-born people who have spent the majority of their lives abroad.

The Return To Ethiopia

With only 12-hours’ notice to attend a wedding in Tanzania’s capital city, it’s a good thing David is in Dar es Salaam, a major hub of fashion, textiles and trade on Africa’s East coast. Though he doesn’t manage to blend in with the locals at the wedding, he does get to sample the local food available at the Coco beach market, and to take a trip out of the bustling city to an easy-going fishing village to soak up its fresh seafood market. After spending time with a local hotel owner who built his entire property out of recycled and reclaimed materials, David revels in the laid-back attitude of these people and their tight-knit creative community.

David attends a wedding in Tanzania’s capital city.

African Wedding Crashers

Known for being the home of South African heroes Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, the township of Soweto was, in years past, known as a rough outskirt of Johannesburg. Through the locals and their delicious home-cooked BBQ, David discovers that there’s more to Soweto than meets the eye. With a powerful art and dance culture that’s full of passion and energy, this tight-knit community is growing into a formidable city of its own.

Soweto: the home of South African heroes Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu.

Hallelujah Soweto

In a city that is still evolving in its identity in the post-Apartheid era,  Johannesburg’s massive street art scene has caused it to become the cutting edge of modern art in Africa. David spends the day exploring the city with local graffiti artists, learning its history, and sampling its local cuisine. From roadside braai to hipster world markets, the food in Jo’burg proves that the city is at the epicenter of Africa's multifaceted cultural explosion.

David spends the day exploring the city of Johannesburg.

Streets of Jo'burg

The Rocco family journeys into the Maasai Mara to have a truly unique and life-changing experience: a Safari adventure to top anyone’s bucket list. They learn a thing or two about the circle of life, and spend a day with the nomadic Maasai tribe.

The Rocco family journeys into the Maasai Mara to have a truly unique and life-changing experience.

The Maasai People

Nairobi is known as a hard city, full of crime and political corruption, yet it’s as cosmopolitan and as cultured as it gets. In order to get to the heart of what it means to be Kenyan, David meets an eclectic variety of local artists and entrepreneurs who open his eyes to the joys, the challenges, and the vibrancy of life in the city and in the ghetto. Through music, art and performance, the people of Nairobi showcase their passions and heritage.

Nairobi is as cosmopolitan and as cultured as it gets.

Nairobi: The Green City in the Sun

David Rocco explores the rich culinary culture of the world's oldest continent, Africa.

David Rocco's Dolce Africa

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