Baron ambrosia

Baron Ambrosia is the alter-ego of Bronx based underground filmmaker Justin Fornal. The character is a self-proclaimed 'quaffer of culinary consciousness' and travels around the world documenting lesser known cultures and cuisines. Baron Ambrosia first appeared in January 2007 in a podcast called Underbelly which was distributed through Libsyn (Liberated Syndication Media). The show reached a number #1 ranking under iTunes culinary podcasts.
After eight episodes the series ended yet was picked up and revised in Spring 2008 under the name Bronx Flavor on Channel 67 Bronxnet. The new series still captures the Baron's wild adventures yet focuses strictly on his adventures in the Bronx. Bronx Flavor also has a greatly raised production value as it is now done with a small budget and improved facilities. In both Underbelly and Bronx Flavor Fornal/Baron Ambrosia will involve local business owners, diners and passers in his outrageous comedic sketches. His improv is unique and brings a new flavor to Bronx television.
The show's following stems largely from its balance of education and humor. Each episode will usually begin with the Baron describing a particularethnic community and then focus on a culinary specialty they prepare. The Baron will then hunt it down and get into any number of disastrous situations stemming from his obsessive personality and knack for over-indulgence.
On July 27, 2008 Baron Ambrosia appeared in the Bronx Dominican Day Parade in his purple roadster the P-Rex to publicize the show.
All Underbelly and Bronx Flavor materials are written, directed, produced and edited by Fornal.

Underbelly Series

1. Chimi Chimi Bang Bang Release Date 1/25/2007
Culinary Focus: Chimichurri trucks of Washington Heights parked on Broadway between 175th and 181st Street.
Location New York, New York
2. Cuchifritos of Love Release Date 3/11/2007
Culinary Focus: 188 Cuchifritos Restaurant in the Bronx
Location: Bronx, New York
3. Battle of the Forbidden Fruit Release Date 3/12/2007
Culinary Focus: In this break away episode Baron puts fourth the possibility the Durian was the true forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden.
Location: Vandcourtlandt Park Bronx, New York
4. Secrets of the Liberian Funk Release Date 3/14/2007
Culinary Focus: The homemade Liberian foods of Eliza Smith (i.e. palm butter, fried pepper sauce, sweet potato greens, turborgee)
Location: Jamaica, New York
5. Ca Cuong City Release Date 4/19/2007
Culinary Focus: The thoracic exudate of the lethocerus indicus (giant water bug)
Location: Vietnam (various),Bronx, New York
6. Fruit Van Fantasia Release Date 4/26/2007
Culinary Focus: The mamey milk shakes and mavi sold at the fruit van located at exit 5 off the Bronx River Parkway
7. Viva Pulque Release Date 7/22/2007
Culinary Focus: The sacred fermented juice of the Magey plant known as Pulque.
Location: Mexico (various)
8. A Latke Lunacy Release Date 8/12/2007
Culinary Focus: the potato pancakes sold by Paul Schmuckler from his Briggs Avenue apartment.
Location: Bronx, New York

Bronx Flavor Series
Season 1
1. The Purple Coffin Air Date: 03/11/08
An introductory episode in which the Baron arrives in the Bronx after a five year mission to exotic lands and is asked to be a culinary correspondent for Bronxnet Channel 67
2. Legend of the Bullet Proof Foot Air Date: 04/04/08
Culinary Focus: The Jamacian curried cow's foot from Jamrock Cooking.
Location: Jamrock Cooking
3. Burek Mania Air Date: 04/18/08
Culinary Focus: Albanian and Kosovoan Burek
Locations: Tony & Tina's Pizza, Dukagjini Burek
4. The Platinum Pann Don Air Date: 05/02/08
Culinary Focus: The Indian aperitif created from the leaf of the betle nut creeper
Location: Dashi Bazaar
5. The Rites of Sandwich Air Date 05/16/08
Culinary Focus: A mammoth sandwich named after Baron Ambrosia
6. Fufu Inferno Air Date 06/02/08
Culinary Focus: West African cuisine in particular soup and fufu
Location: Sankoofa Restaurant
7. The Giffiti That Keeps on Giving Air Date 06/13/08
Culinary Focus: Garifuna cuisine and the aphrodisiac known as giffiti
Location: Garifuna Star
8. The Ghosts of Endorsements Past Air Date 06/27/08
Culinary Focus: Thai curries
Location: Siam Square Restaurant
9. A Cheesecake Odyssey Air Date 07/11/08
Culinary Focus: Cheesecake
Location: S & S Cheesecake
Season 2
10. The Agony of Flavor Part 1 :Pasteles Pandimonium Air Date 08/25/08
Culinary Focus: The Dominican/ Puerto Rican tamale known as a pastel
Location: Pasteles by Noemi

External links

* [http://www.theplugg.com/2007/03/19/in-pursuit-of-the-baron-ambrosia-part-1/ The Plugg - In Pursuit of the Baron Ambrosia Part-1]

* [http://www.theplugg.com/2007/05/13/bronx-canzo-the-continued-quest-for-baron-ambrosia-part-2/The Plugg - Bronx Canzo: The Continued Quest for Baron Ambrosia Part 2]

* [http://www.riverdalepress.com/full.php?sid=4794&current_edition=2008-06-12/ The Riverdale Press]

* [http://www.underbellynyc.com/ Underbelly NYC]

* [http://www.bronxnet.org/ Bronxnet]