PICK OF THE DAY

RICK STEIN’S ROAD TO MEXICO, 9PM, BBC2

‘I’VE always felt dewy-eyed about California,’ admits Rick Stein as his trip continues. ‘It’s the centre of the cuisine I aspire to.’ This week, he’s driving south from Monterey towards Los Angeles and then down to San Diego. His first stop is Pismo Beach, once known as the clam capital of the world. Though the clams have disappeared, their legacy lives on in a creamy clam chowder that brightens Rick’s mood on a grey, misty day. After that, it’s on to LA, where he tucks into chopped salad (the celebs’ favourite) with Beverly Hills restaurateur Gigi Leon (pictured with Stein). And when Rick reaches San Diego, a local fishmonger cooks him a fish chilli he will never forget.