Baron Ambrosia | |
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Bronx Flavor character | |
First appearance | Underbelly NYC |
Last appearance | The Culinary Adventures of Baron Ambrosia" |
Created by | Justin Fornal |
Portrayed by | Justin Fornal |
Information | |
Aliases | Quaffer of Culinary Consciousness |
Occupation | food critic |
Title | Bronx Culinary Ambassador |
Archenemies | Bürgomeister Bürger The Queen of Westchester Lankey the Leprechaun Al Kajowski |
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 New York City, mostly in The Bronx, documenting various ethnic cultures and their indigenous cuisines, represented typically by the small food establishments (including restaurants, food trucks, street vendors, and grocery stores) he visits. Baron Ambrosia has appeared in Fornal's self-produced video podcast Underbelly NYC and starred in the public-access television cable TV channel BronxNet's Bronx Flavor. He is currently the host of the show "The Culinary Adventures of Baron Ambrosia" on the Cooking Channel. In 2012, Fornal won a New York Emmy (best on-camera talent: performer/narrator) for his portrayal of Baron Ambrosia.
The Baron Ambrosia character first appeared in 2006 in the video podcast Underbelly NYC which was distributed through Liberated Syndication. The show reached a number #1 ranking under iTunes culinary podcasts. Fornal produced, in total, eight episodes of Underbelly NYC.
In early 2008, Baron Ambrosia re-emerged in Bronx Flavor on BronxNet, a Public-access television cable TV channel in Bronx, NY.
Both series focus on Baron Ambrosia's adventures in food (mostly ethnic cuisines and restaurants that are not covered by mainstream media). Bronx Flavor focuses strictly on his adventures in the Bronx. In both shows, Baron Ambrosia involves local business owners, diners, and passers-by in comedic sketches. All Underbelly NYC and Bronx Flavor episodes are written, directed, and edited by Fornal.