Herbandomni

Teeter Sperber Vegetarian for 20 years, vegan for 10,
spaz for life.
Sarah Bennett Vegan for never, born eating pastrami,
owns firearms.
Two bffs, an Herbivore and an Omnivore,
travel the u.s. and collaborate with chefs
to find a common plate, creating locally
unique, universally delicious dishes.

2

Two bffs, an Herbivore and an Omnivore, travel the u.s.
and collaborate with chefs to find a common plate,
creating locally unique, universally delicious dishes.
Teeter and SB, a vegan and an omnivore, are best friends. Serious about
great food, local culture, and fun, they seek out unique experiences to
satisfy all their appetites.
At each location, SB and Teeter visit two local-favorite places to eat.
At the first, SB digs into a carnivorous specialty while Teeter challenges
the chef to create a delicious vegan option. Next, Teeter brings SB to a
favorite vegan spot and selects the most flavorful, omnivore-pleasing dish.
The duo dives into local culture in each location, too. They visit
hometown musicians, artists, designers, and entrepreneurs. For Teeter
and SB, “locavore” goes beyond food — it means seeking out all sorts of
locally unique flavors.
HERB & OMNI is on a coast-to-coast mission to expand menus and minds.

3 © 2009 thedandygroup all rights reserved | contact: Jared weinstein t 347 693 2360 e. jared@thedandygroup.com

The herb & omni mission
HERB & OMNI aims to break down food-related stereotypes, encouraging both herbivores and
omnivores to appreciate opposite sides of the menu. Teeter and SB show that meateries can be vegfriendly and vegsteraunts can appeal to even the most committed carnivore.
Teeter and SB expand the definition of “locavore.” They open it up to include all sorts of local culture,
starting with food but embracing music, art and more.
The show brings fresh voices and material to television. Teeter and SB, with their electric yet relatable
personalities, are great role models and road companions. Vegan-centric cooking is still new to the
mainstream. We aim to introduce content and a perspective that’s meaningful, not just sensational.
HERB & OMNI brings people together and celebrates the patchwork of American culture.
the hosts’ EXPERTISE
Teeter and SB have over 10 years’ experience of traveling together and separately, constantly hunting and gathering info
about outstanding things to eat. During her years touring with rock bands, Teeter sought out vegan-friendly restaurants all
over the country. Combining research and word-of-mouth, she compiled a “black book” of favorite places, ranging from a
Jamaican joint in Nashville to a soul-vegetarian restaurant run by Black Israelites in Chicago. SB, meanwhile, criss-crossed
the U.S. five times for work and play, planning her days around memorable, meaty meals. For their friends and neighbors,
Teeter and SB are invaluable travel-and-food resources.
Each of these hungry dames has also been a teacher and an organizer. As good teachers, they’re equally good students,
eager to learn from new experiences. They’re well-versed in coordinating, demonstrating, and the all-important timing of
an ice-breaking joke.


How it works / a sample episode (23 minutes)
Kansas city, Ks. Garage grub bbq & getting down with the get up kids
The basic framework outlined below is used for every episode.
OPEN (3 minutes): Teeter and SB introduce their upcoming midwestern adventure with a locavore-driven gloss of Kansas City.
Kicking things off in the historic City Market, they’ll talk with one or two local-favorite vendors about local and
seasonal specialties. SB secures a stash of local elk jerky.
ACT 1 - OMNIVORE’S CHOICE (7 minutes): Teeter and SB’s trusty Prius pulls up to a magical gas station that serves
BBQ. SB and the chef bond over his champion pulled pork and discuss sourcing local heritage meat. The team then works
with the pitmaster to create a new vegan option to serve alongside their renowned hickory-smoked pork and beef. Will the
herbivore go whole-hog for this creation? Teeter digs in.
ACT 2 - EXPLORING LOCAL CULTURE (3 minutes): The duo works up an appetite while exploring the vibrant art scene of
The Crossroads District. In this revitalized historic district, young local painters, photographers, and designers
turned industrial buildings into thriving galleries and boutiques.
ACT 3 - HERBIVORE’S CHOICE (7 minutes): Next stop: Blue Bird bistro, a locavore, organic restaurant. There Teeter and
SB collaborate with the cooks to create a supreme vegan dish that will have any carnivore happily savoring tofu on purpose.
CONCLUSION - EVERYONE GETS DOWN TOGETHER (3 minutes): Teeter and SB bring together the BBQ master and the
Blue Bird chefs at a show for hometown band The Get Up Kids. After dancing like crazy, could they possibly be hungry for
a midnight snack? Yes!

gas station bbq

The get up kids


Blue Bird Bistro

Comparisons
bourdain’s no reservations + Road tasted with the deen bros.
three sheets / have fork will travel + Rachael Ray on $40 a Day

tone & style
Camera
HERB & OMNI will be shot with handheld, rockumentary sensibilities and will feel observational instead of staged or scripted.
On the road, a single camera will follow Teeter and SB, who will occasionally speak to the camera to include viewers in the
action. Through the aisles of greenmarkets and record shops, the camera will explore the details of any given space, making
unique discoveries alongside our hosts.
During kitchen visits, the camera will remain static to allow the audience to focus on the collaboration between chefs and
hosts. At live performances the camera will be in the crowd, giving viewers the sense that they are included. Multiple
cameras may be used alternating between a roadcrew perspective and audience POV.

Color and lighting
Vintage brightness, akin to that of the TV show “Friday Night Lights.” HERB & OMNI’s crew presence will be unobtrusive,
taking advantage of natural light wherever possible.

Voice
Relaxed and casual, humorous. Man-on-the-street interview styles. Teeter and SB will engage locals and fellow diners in lively,
fun, kind-hearted, open-minded dialogue. HERB & OMNI is high-energy and friendly, not aggressive or in-your-face.

Locations
Content will be captured at all points of the journey — in the car, in hotel rooms, at greenmarkets and the occasional street
cart, outside music venues. Collaborations with chefs will take place in their kitchens, where they feel comfortable. Teeter
and SB will be guests and will be respectful of their hosts’ spaces, staff, and patrons.


THE HERBIVORE
teeter sperber
hometown: the ‘burbs of NJ
lived in: Boulder, CO; Chicago, IL; New York City;
Cannon Beach (a.k.a tiny coastal town), OR
Eater profile: Raised in a meat-loving family,
complete with a mounted deer head in her home.
She fondly recalls eating raw hamburger when her
mom wasn’t looking (whassup, e. coli!).
Looking for a way to challenge herself, Teeter
became a vegetarian in 1992. In 2000, she decided
to up her game and became vegan. She’s proud to
smash popular misconceptions about vegans by
remaining relatively chubby.
Professional background: Teeter worked
for many years in the NYC record industry, where
she was responsible for everything from babysitting
Hanson during TV appearances to slaving away as
one of OK GO!’s first indie publicists. She now works
as a touring marketing manager and music event
coordinator. She rides in the captain’s seat of a giant
tour bus with everyone from The Jonas Brothers (best
times!) to Bon Jovi (not-so-best times!).
Teeter is also the co-owner of 31 Corn Lane, a totebag
and accessories company she has run with her twin
sisters since 1998. 31 Corn Lane merchandise is
distributed in over 50 indie boutiques internationally
and has been featured in magazines such as Teen
Vogue, InStyle, Bust, Budget Living, and Seventeen.
31 Corn Lane supports lady risk-takers ranging
from musicians to scientists by donating each
season’s latest creations to them, free of all
promotional obligations.

how to describe teeter?
Urban / spontaneous / whip-smart spaz / rollicking laugh / gift of gab

Facts about teeter
Carries Trappey’s Red Devil hot sauce AND Jane’s Crazy Mixed-Up Salt in
her purse at all times.
Is one half of the electro-pop band Ladybirds, whose songs
you’ve probably heard on “Paris Hilton’s New BFF” but didn’t know it.
Teaches English and double-dutch jump rope to rowdy 9-year-olds in
Todos Santos, Mexico.


THE OMNIVORE
Sarah Bennett (SB)
hometown: Brookline, MA
lived in: Los Angeles, CA; New York City;
Sunapee, NH
Eater profile: Raised in an eat-everything
household. She has nourished a lifelong
commitment to tasting all available types of landlocked meat.
But it’s not just meat in SB’s foodiverse. When home
in New Hampshire, she grows an impressive variety
of fruits and veggies despite the rain and groundhogs.
No matter what’s on her plate, if you prick her, she
bleeds BBQ sauce.
Professional background: SB writes
features and reviews for print and online publications,
ranging from film and music critiques for About.com
to celebrity profiles for Glamour UK.
SB also books summer rock concerts for East River
Music Project (a non-profit she cofounded), putting
on shows with such acts as Cat Power, Vampire
Weekend, and Ted Leo and the Pharmacists.
As a savvy community organizer, she founded Black
Top Street Hockey, a co-ed league on Manhattan’s
Lower East Side that started out with 30 members
in 2000 and has since grown to over 400 players.
In short, she does all sorts of things to pay the rent
without having to report to an office every morning
and wear nude hose.

how to describe SB?
outdoorsy / plans ahead / down-to-earth / funniest nerd you’ll ever meet

Facts about sb
Has eaten at least 7 varieties of burger, including bear.
Owns a .22 rifle with a scope (and trigger lock).
teaches crochet at a new hampshire yarn shop.


sb’s side of the table

teeter’s side of the table

Q. Why are you the right people to lead the
next evolution in food programming?

Q. Why are you the right people to lead the
next evolution in food programming?

A. Our shared intention is encourage open-mindedness and
adventure in the pursuit of great food; we want to bring
together meat-lovers, vegans, pescatarians, whatever, to
appreciate what’s delicious, no matter what their point of view.

A. I’ve been in the firing line of people who are mystified by
veganism or who think my eating practice is ridiculous. These
experiences have made me want nothing more than to bridge
the two worlds of meat-eaters and veg-lovers. I’m the least
judgmental vegan you’ll meet. As with anything else, if we teach
each side about the other, the differences will seem less daunting.

We have a unique perspective on how to achieve this, and
years of experience backing it up. After more than a decade
of friendship, travel, and acting a fool in the process, we’re
like a highly functional, not-pretentious, good-times Odd
Couple. We accept each other for who we are, no matter
what we eat, and that’s rare (no pun intended, har har).
We prove it’s possible to be serious about what you eat and
still maintain your sense of humor.

“It’s hard to find hardcore meat-lovers or vegans
that are as open-minded as we are. We want to show
it’s possible to have a foodtastic dialogue, sharing
our appreciation for different ways of eating.”

SB and I are passionate about and deeply involved in this
effort. We’re both funny, relatable and adventurous, though
in different ways — you’ll want to spend time with us as much
as we want to hang with you. We’re happy being both
teachers and students of chow unification.

“We’re a cultural enterprise – mainly focused on
food but tapped into a myriad of different things
happening within youth culture today. Music, art,
and everything else that should be shared over a
great meal.”


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1

“Bakers dozen”
1 New York, NY PILOT Brooklyn’s own Bark,
—
an outstanding new hot dog spot, takes the first
vegan-friendly challenge. Can a restaurant known
for franks basted in smoked lard butter go veg?
After an interlude visit to the craft-tastic Brooklyn
Flea market, Teeter convinces SB that vegan pastry
can be delicious with a trip to BabyCakes. Bark
and BabyCakes crews then join up with H&O to
cheer a fiery co-ed Black Top Street Hockey game.
2 CONTOOCOOK, NH — At the Hopkinton State
Fair, SB hones in on the ostrich burgers while
Teeter talks the vendor into experimenting with
locally farmed veggies. They poke around the
4-H booths with NH-native, indie-music darlings
Okkervil River; then Teeter proves how great a
maple ice (versus ice cream) can be. Finally,
everyone hits the demolition derby!
3 ASBURY PARK, NJ — Old Man Rafferty’s picks
up the gauntlet, developing a vegan pub-grub dish.
Next stop: Parlor Gallery for a look at some local
artists’ pop-influenced pieces, guided by entrepreneurs
Jenn Hampton and Sarah Potter. Asbury Lanes,
Jersey’s only punk rock bowling alley, is the
improbable home of BBQ Tofu Sammy, where SB
digs into vegan late-night nosh, from tater tots to
subs. Everybody rallies to see Teeter’s favorite
local rock heros, The Gaslight Anthem.
4 Philadelphia, PA
Cheesesteaks on South Street (Gianni’s for vegan
style, Jim’s Steaks for the real deal) in the City of
Brotherly Love. A fly-by at Reload bags, where the
girls get a customized H&O backpack for snack
collecting on the road. Everyone ends up at the
famed Vegan Treats Bakery, where both ladies
casually geek out on the superstylish young owner,
Danielle Konya. Cinnamon rolls and cake batter
soft-serve all around!

4

3

5
11

10

9
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5 Kansas City, KS
SB bonds with the pitmaster of a famed BBQ joint
in the back of gas station, and Teeter takes us to a
farmer-friendly organic cafe. Local musical
performance by The Get Up Kids.

10 Los Angeles, CA
Hollyweird has a lot more to offer than In n’Out Burger
and frozen yogurt. Nyala Ethiopian has vegan and
meat dishes on the same piece of injera, while Scoops
makes the best balsamic strawberry gelato in town.

6 Detroit, MI
In the urban wreckage of Motor City, brisket and
un-chicken served side-by-side at Slow’s BBQ.

11 San Francisco, CA
Any locavore eater’s dream. You can meet everyone’s
needs in SF without having to leave the famous
Mission district. Herbivore has vegan kabobs, and
Tartine has not-vegan squab.

7 Minneapolis, MN
Cheese taken from vegan pizzas at Pizza Luce and
put into burgers at The Blue Door Pub instead.
Genius! Best way to end a day of record shopping
in the snow.
8 Atlanta, GA
Southern food isn’t just meat and three (although
SB would be fine with that); Teet knows where you
can get just the sides, like mac n’cheese, vegan-style.
9 Sante Fe, NM
Santa Fe, an arty oasis in the desert, is every eaters
fanta-se. Blue corn beef tacos for SB at The Shed,
vegan reuben for Teet at the Chocolate Maven,
chocolate cake for everyone (with or without dairy).


12 Portland, OR
This punk rock Never-Never Land is famous for
its food carts, where Teet and SB could graze for
hours. Then off to Voodoo for midnight dessert
donuts (yes, they’re vegan, too).
13 Seattle, WA
Out of the rain and away from the flying fish, Teet
finds excellent Thai at Araya’s Vegetarian Place,
and SB does a Cuban sandwich at Paseo’s.
Details on all episodes available upon request.

Who is watching?
young people
Teens through thirtysomethings who enjoy food, music and pop culture, and who
have an growing/active interest in sustainability.
The Eco-Conscious Consumer
Our audience is interested in making responsible and informed choices about what
they eat — everyone from new vegetarians to people on the butchering bandwagon,
urban fans of Michael Pollan to suburban Prius-drivers who shop at Whole Foods.
Existing audiences looking for something new
Capture the female audience that enjoys warm, chatty food programs along with the
men who prefer indulging-on-the-road shows. HERB & OMNI merges the down-to-earth
sensibilities of Rachael Ray with the exotic misadventures of Anthony Bourdain.

herb & omni is always sustainable and chic

herb & omni Supports those who grow our food


herb & omni seeks culinary adventure

Why are they watching?
Herb & omni is unique in the marketplace
This is the only show to move the needle for the youth/food-focused/sustainability market. It’s also the first show that
discusses veganism without preaching to or excluding meat-lovers. It’s unique in the way that it brings everyone to the table.

Teeter and Sb rock
Teeter and SB are the next spokespeople for people with an awakening interest in food and how this ties into local
communities and cultures. They represent the full spectrum of dietary practices but above all, they encourage a curious,
open-minded appreciation for what’s cooking. They are the rare pair who value each other’s different approach to eating —
and who have a blast learning from each other. Their energy and humor are infectious. Teeter and SB also know which chefs
are good sports and will be game to explore different palates.

It makes a difference without forcing an agenda down your throat
HERB & OMNI will cater to both sides of the table in a fun, approachable way. Teeter and SB are not judgmental eaters; their
goal is to encourage and applaud great local food of all sorts, not to push a “right” way of eating. The show supports regional
cooking, local businesses, and adventurous eating but doesn’t push a particular dietary agenda.

herb & omni breaks through the clutter
with simplicity and humor

herb & omni rocks out with the Gaslight anthem


herb & omni is not judgemental

Digital how will we engage the audience?
Our core audience is web-savvy and eager to interact. The main marketing of HERB & OMNI will be focused in the digital space.

Branded web and mobile experience
The site will highlight the show’s mission, Teeter and SB’s bios, episode guides, and a map of their travels, plus a database
of where they’ve eaten and what new dishes were developed along the way.
Additional content will include viewer feedback, recipes gathered from restaurants, out-takes, and suggested reading.
Clips will feature our hosts in hotels, goofing off in the car, and other behind-the-scenes footage. The site will also link to
the individual sites of restaurants and other participating businesses.

Extended e-commerce
The show’s website will not only give fans a chance to own a piece of the show in the form of branded H&O merchandise,
but also reciprocally be a promotional vehicle for the musicians, writers and other special guests. Fans can pick up CDs,
cookbooks by restaurants, and other related gifts by people featured in the show.

User-generated content
Viewers will be encouraged to submit questions, suggest eateries to visit, or request certain cities they’d like featured. The
site will also have reader polls and contests, from “best creative veggie meal at McDonalds” to “best haiku about beef jerky.”

Social media and local blogs
Branded Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking, with frequent updates from Teeter and SB.

Online advertising
Target foodie sites like Eater, Chowhound, Epicurious, Happycow, and Food & Wine. Travel sites like Lonelyplanet, Frommers, and
Travelocity are another obvious bet, plus music/pop-culture sites like the Gawker network, Ohmyrockness, Boingboing, and the
Gothamist network. HERB & OMNI will also seek out media in the food sections of major news organizations.


This document is a proposal for Herb & Omni TV series. Recipients of this proposal
agree that they will not without the express written permission of THE DANDY GROUP
INC. copy, reproduce or distribute this proposal in whole or in part to individuals or
entities outside the recipient company, or use the contents hereof for any purpose
other that to evaluate the proposal described herein.
contact: Jared weinstein t 347 693 2360 e. jared@thedandygroup.com
© 2010 thedandygroup all rights reserved

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