Alastair McLeod’s new global TV gig

He’s a regular on our television sets, usually exploring Queensland’s great southeast, but now the popular Brisbane chef has scored a dream role on the small screen.

Hosting a travel show is the ultimate dream for many and now celebrity chef Alastair McLeod is living out that dream.

The Irishman will front new series Imagine Holidays Iconic Rail Journeys on 7TWO alongside Kay McGrath and Darren McMullen, with the trio exploring the world’s ritziest rail journeys.

Think everything from the Rocky Mountaineer in North America to the Venice-Simplon Orient Express leaving from Paris.

For McLeod’s part in the series he jumps on board Australia’s iconic The Ghan, the Toy Train in India and South Africa’s Blue Train.

Alastair McLeod in India for TV series Imagine Holidays Iconic Rail Journeys on Sundays on 7TWO.

“There’s a lovely sense of romance with train travel – it’s the journey not the destination,” the chef says.

Given his foodie background, working at some of Queensland’s best restaurants and running his acclaimed Brisbane catering company Al’FreshCo, McLeod says food is a big part of the TV series. He indulges in local delicacies in each of the regions, including plenty of street food in India, which isn’t without its problems.

“We went into Old Delhi and were trying all the street food. It got us for about a week,” he says.

Perhaps surprisingly, however, is that the best part of the TV series for the popular cook and Weekender presenter has nothing to do with food at all.

“The highlight was probably in Zambia when I saw the Victoria Falls. I never thought I was that sort of person but I was struck by it,” he says.

“Meaningful travel should have an emotional impact and these superb rail journeys deliver just that.”

The eight-part Imagine Holidays Iconic Rail Journeys airs Sundays on 7TWO at 6pm from March 17.