Phil Rosenthal savors making connections.
His hit Netflix documentary travel series “Somebody Feed Phil” is all about experiencing other cultures through their people — and their food. And “Everybody Loves Raymond,” the nine-season sitcom he created and executive produced, explored a family’s comically complicated relationships — often around the dinner table.
During a 2024 visit to Central Florida he put it this way: “The best part of the experience for me is not even the food, as much as I love it. It’s meeting the people. It’s making new friends.”
Rosenthal will return to Orlando this week for a show at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in which he’ll share stories of his television career, food, travel, friends and family. Orlando Sentinel food writer Amy Drew Thompson will moderate the conversation.
When he connects with a reporter for a phone conversation, Los Angeles-based Rosenthal is excited to be in his youthful stomping grounds of the New York City metro area — and looking forward to a slice or two of New York pizza.
His love affair with food emphatically didn’t start at a young age. What was his childhood cuisine?
“Not very good,” Rosenthal says with a laugh. “We didn’t have a lot of money. Both of my parents worked and they were not great chefs. If I got a hot dog I was happy. In fact, I still love a hot dog.”
He thinks it’s not uncommon for those who endured less-than-stellar childhood meals to develop a strong interest in food as adults.
“I speak to great chefs who had the same experience,” he says. And his upbringing has made him pickier about what he eats: “I’ve not had a fast-food meal in, I think, 30 years.”
One wouldn’t blame him if he had snuck in a Happy Meal or two. After all, he’s been a busy guy.
Executive Producer Phil Rosenthal, right, and series star Ray Romano appear at an “Everybody Loves Raymond” press event in 2005. (John Paul Filo/CBS)
After graduating from Hofstra University, Rosenthal did some acting before moving into writing and producing — notably on the TV comedy “Coach.” His biggest success came when he created “Everybody Loves Raymond,” the sitcom starring Ray Romano as a sportswriter juggling his often frustrated wife, sad-sack brother and interfering parents. It ran from 1996 to 2005 and was nominated for 69 Emmy Awards — winning 15.
Rosenthal recently reunited with the surviving “Raymond” cast members — his wife is Monica Horan, who played Amy — to record a 30th-anniversary reunion special that will air Nov. 24 on CBS.
“They rebuilt the set — exactly,” he shares, adding that reuniting with the cast was “an absolute joy.”
“Raymond,” he says, proves his point that food not only nourishes the body but is an essential part of human interaction.
Netflix star Phil Rosenthal made it to Lazy Moon’s Colonial Drive location while he was shooting “The REAL Orlando” episode of “Somebody Feed Phil” back in 2024. (Amy Drew Thompson/Orlando Sentinel)
“If you watch ‘Everybody Loves Raymond,’ food was a huge factor in that show,” he says. “Ray’s mom [played by the indomitable Doris Roberts] controlled the whole family because she was the only one who could cook. She was able to hold sway over her sons because she could cook.”
He recounts how he had to persuade Romano, who doesn’t enjoy flying, to travel to Italy to shoot a memorable two-part episode of the series. By the end of the experience, Romano had embraced the journey, telling Rosenthal “You made me a more adventurous eater.”
Thought Rosenthal: “My work here is done.”
But in fact, it was just beginning. That was the genesis of “I’ll Have What Phil’s Having,” a six-part PBS series in which Rosenthal explored food and culture around the world.
“It did really well, but PBS — I don’t know if you’ve heard — doesn’t have a lot of money,” he says.
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The series then morphed into “Somebody Feed Phil,” and was picked up by Netflix, where it has become the streaming service’s longest-running unscripted original series.
“It does still feel almost the same as a vacation,” he says of making the series. “I actually like having a purpose for the travel. Then I feel useful.”
In 2024 he visited Orlando for an episode of “Somebody Feed Phil” and tasted his way from East End Market to Eatonville, from Mills 50 to the Milk District, from Parramore to the Michelin-starred Capa at the top of the Four Seasons. The Sentinel’s Thompson was a guide.
“She’s an Orlando champion,” he proclaims.
‘Somebody Feed Phil’ features ‘The REAL Orlando’
She also opened his eyes to the international appeal of the Central Florida culinary scene.
“I was like, ‘What do you mean, Epcot?’” Rosenthal says. “It wasn’t until I got there and Amy Drew showed me the gorgeous diversity of Orlando that I just fell in love with it.”
He’s looking forward to reuniting with Thompson for “An Evening with Phil Rosenthal” at the downtown arts center. He’s also excited to hear from Central Floridians in the question-and-answer portion of the show. It plays right into his love of food as a way to connect with people.
“I enjoy doing the live show as much as ‘Somebody Feed Phil,’” he says. “The audience members are there because they love food and love the show — and I get to interact with them.”
Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find more entertainment news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/entertainment or sign up to receive our weekly emailed Entertainment newsletter.
‘An Evening With Phil Rosenthal’
What: The “Somebody Feed Phil” host shares stories and takes audience questions
Where: Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando
When: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13
Cost: From $46.61
Info: drphillipscenter.org