Gary Barlow, the British singer-songwriter and member of Take That, has returned with a new installment of his culinary travel series, “Gary Barlow’s Food and Wine Tour,” which aired on ITV1 on August 30, 2026. The latest episode showcases Barlow’s exploration of New Zealand’s diverse food and wine landscape, highlighting the country’s natural beauty and emerging culinary reputation.
Barlow, 55, invited longtime friend and comedian Jason Manford, 45, to join him on the journey. The two have known each other for 15 years and grew up within 30 miles of each other in the North West of England. Manford, who initially knew little about wine, was encouraged by Barlow to participate precisely for that reason—offering viewers a chance to learn alongside someone without professional expertise.
The series follows the pair over a two-week tour covering both the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Their itinerary included stops in Auckland, Queenstown, Central Otago, Marlborough Sounds, and Hawke’s Bay. They experienced a range of activities, from high-speed jet-boating through the canyons of the Shotover River to hiking in the interiors of Central Otago. A memorable highlight came during a 3.5-hour ferry trip from the South Island town of Picton to Wellington on the North Island, where they witnessed the unique geography of the Marlborough Sounds and crossed the Cook Strait.
The journey also featured culinary visits to notable locations such as the boutique Man O’ War winery on Waiheke Island, accessible via a zip-line entrance. At Auckland’s Michelin-starred restaurant Ahi, chef Ben Bayly prepared dishes including local seafood like paua and wild venison paired with beetroot and figs. Alongside fine dining, the friends sampled traditional New Zealand fare such as whitebait fritters, green-lipped mussels, Cloudy Bay clams, and classic Kiwi meat pies.
Barlow commented on New Zealand’s understated food scene, suggesting it deserves greater international recognition. He also praised the country’s striking landscapes, noting the expansive skies, majestic mountains, and extensive coastlines as unparalleled sights. The series highlighted the shared dry humor between New Zealanders and the British, with Manford even performing an impromptu stand-up set during their time in Christchurch.
Looking ahead, Barlow indicated future locations for his culinary travel show may include California and Greece, although no definitive plans have been announced. “The world’s a big place,” he remarked.
“Gary Barlow’s Food and Wine Tour: New Zealand” continues Barlow’s ongoing efforts to combine travel, gastronomy, and wine education on television, building on previous episodes filmed in South Africa and Australia.