(LONGER PKG) MELTING POT: MAKING CULTURAL CONNECTIONS WITH FOOD

Food has a unique ability to bring people together. Even those with little in common can connect, share experiences, and discover new cultures through what they eat. Correspondent Leigh Waldman caught up with Andy Doro, a Brooklyn-based foodie who has made it his mission to eat at every country on Earth without leaving the Big Apple. So far, he’s eaten at restaurants representing 163 different countries. “Everyone knows New York is one of the most diverse cities on the planet, but how far can you sort of push that,” Doro explained when Waldman sat down with him for a meal at Tripoli Restaurant in Brooklyn. Doro’s mindset is in line with that of Mohamed Salem, an immigrant from Lebanon and owner of the over 50-year-old restaurant. “My philosophy is, if you have a good thing you have to share it,” Salem says. “I consider it as a service for the community around us.” Waldman has the story in today’s 3pE PKG with FREE custom talkbacks from New York City.