Origins of The Long Way Series

Nick and Angela greet good friends who love to travel on two wheels.

Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman bring their passion for adventure to Dish following the release of their latest TV show, Long Way Home. Their fourth motorcycle trip together sees them plot a path through 17 European countries on two vintage bikes. The Long Way series began in 2004 when the pair embarked on an epic route from London to New York, via Asia, in Long Way Round. Each trip they take is characterised by beautiful landscapes, chance encounters, good (and not so good) food and Charley and Ewan’s close friendship. 

Ewan McGregor has been on our screens since his acting debut in 1993. His hugely successful career includes unforgettable roles in Trainspotting, Shallow Grave, Star Wars, Salmon FIshing in the Yemen and Moulin Rouge!. Charley, who met Ewan on a film set in 1997, is well known for his TV adventures, including By Any Means, which saw him travel from Ireland to Australia using any modes of transport he could find. He has also participated in the Dakar Rally, known to be one of the world’s toughest and most dangerous motorsport competitions.

There’s not a lot of room to spare on this week’s table, with a feast of food and drink to tempt our guests. At Ewan’s request, Angela serves a slice of nostalgia in the form of Melba toast with chicken liver pâté, smoked mackerel pâté and pâté de campagne, before bringing out the haggis bon-bons. Drinks are negronis, tweaked by Charley, who suggests switching the gin for tequila, and a Pentire coastal spritz for Ewan. This is followed by an epic tomahawk steak with spicy dipping sauce and fries, paired with a glass of Journey's End Sir Lowry Cabernet Sauvignon.

After arriving on motorbikes (a Dish first), Charley and Ewan quickly settle at the Dish table, where chat moves from boiled egg banter to bagpipes and classic Mongolian hospitality. Charley shares one of his favourite recipes and Ewan reminisces on an unforgettable meeting with Delia Smith. The episode finishes with Nick and Angela checking out the bikes, a moment you can watch on our YouTube channel as part of the full episode.  

You can watch Long Way Home on Apple TV+ now.

All recipes from this podcast can be found at waitrose.com/dishrecipes

A transcript for this episode can be found at waitrose.com/dish

We can’t all have a Michelin star chef in the kitchen, but you can ask Angela for help. 

Send your dilemmas to dish@waitrose.co.uk and she’ll try to answer them in a future episode.

Dish from Waitrose is made by Cold Glass Productions.