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ºìÐÓÊÓƵ’s Kennedy Lecture Series was established in 1962 by a gift from OHIO alumni and stalwart supporters Edwin L. and Ruth Kennedy. The Kennedy Lecture Series aims to bring speakers who appeal to a broad cross-section of the OHIO community to the Athens Campus to discuss significant issues in American life.

2026-27 Speaker Information

An Evening with Andrew Zimmern

October 19th, 7:30PM Baker Center Ballroom, Doors open at 6:30pm

Andrew Zimmern has spent decades proving that food can be a powerful force for cultural understanding & social change. An Emmy-winning & James Beard Award-winning television host, chef & food advocate, he brings boundless curiosity & deep empathy to his exploration of global cuisine on his acclaimed shows, including the Bizarre Foods franchise, The Zimmern List, What’s Eating America, Family Dinner, & Wild Game Kitchen. His work extends far beyond television into restaurants, publishing, & philanthropy, all driven by his conviction that shared culinary experiences can bridge divides and create lasting change.

Andrew has authored five books that bring his global food experiences & cultural insights to readers, including The Bizarre Truth (2009), offering behind-the-scenes glimpses of his favorite destinations, the Gold IPPY Award-winning fiction AZ and the Lost City of Ophir (2019), & his latest work, The Blue Food Cookbook (October 2025), that serves as a complimentary publication to his documentary series Hope in the Water.

This event is free, un-ticketed and open to the public.