Actress/director/producer and now host Eva Longoria is in the capital city of Yucatan state, Merida, Mexico, filming CNN´s original series Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico.
This new series follows Longoria as she traverses Mexico exploring one of the most popular, and arguably misunderstood global cuisines. From harvesting blue agave for tequila as the Aztecs once did, to slow cooking traditional mole sauce in Oaxaca. Longoria journeys across some of the most vibrant regions of Mexico to reveal its unique and colorful cuisines.
The award-winning actress and entrepreneur was spotted by fans and local media arriving to the popular Santiago Market, where she shot several scenes for the show that will debut exclusively on CNN+ this year. Longoria was immediately recognized by street vendors and restaurant employees who approached her to take a selfie and greet her.
“I never thought I would ever meet an actress of my favorite TV show, Desperate Housewives, here in the market,” said an excited housekeeper who was grocery shopping at the time she spotted the actress in between takes of the show.
The locals gathered to get a glimpse of Longoria as the production crew filmed her sampling some of Merida´s exquite cuisine. On the menu a traditional dish of Yucatan, “huevos motuleños” a breakfast dish which consist of a fried tortilla topped with black beans, a sunny-side-up egg, red sauce, and golden fried plantains. On set was chef and restaurantuer Roberto Solis who also owns several restaurants in the city.
Longoria also stopped by several “taquerias” or tacos places to taste the different flavors and colors of the local gastronomy like cochinita pibil, papadzules and Lechón (roasted baby pig).
Off the set, Longoria is also taking in the local sites. On her social media, Longoria shared a photo of herself wearing a white swimsuit in what seems to be a cenote, a natural deep-water wells (sinkholes), which are fed by the filtration of rain and by the currents of underground rivers.
The six-part series is produced by RAW, the film and television company behind the Emmy Award-winning Searching for Italy.
“Partnering with CNN on a culinary-driven expedition throughout Mexico is a dream come true,” Longoria enthused. “I am so proud of my Mexican-American roots and can’t wait to bring the hidden gems of Mexico to the world through Searching for Mexico.”
Executive Producers for Searching for Mexico are Eva Longoria, Ben Spector and Stanley Tucci with RAW’s Tom Barry, Eve Kay and Jess Orr. Kate Leonard-Morgan is Head of Production, US while Amy Entelis and Lyle Gamm are the Executive Producers for CNN Original Series.
Longoria is represented by WME, Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner & Klein.