Cookery Show commission for STV on the BBC

STV, the Channel 3 broadcaster and production company for Scotland, is to produce its second programme for the BBC with a twenty-episode cookery series.

“This new cookery show is an original take on the road trip theme and, in a returning slot on BBC Two, is a great boost for the Scottish production team. Attracting high-profile network commissions like this showcases Scotland’s production strengths.” – Caroline Parkinson, Director of Creative Development, Creative Scotland

The new show follows four series of Antiques Road Trip and its spin-off Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, which have been a ratings success almost doubling the slot average, STV state. The second original commission for STV from BBC Two is a cooking series that sees eight of Britain’s best loved chefs compete in some of the most demanding cookery contests across the country. Travelling in pairs, the celebrity chefs will tour the UK in a vintage van, complete with its own kitchen.

In each programme the chefs will visit a different town or village in Britain and its traditional country show or specialist food festival. The chefs will then enter a cookery competition at the country show or food festival where not only will they compete against each other, but also against the best local cooks who take the cooking competitions very seriously.

“Never before have celeb chefs been up against it like this. Not only are they competing against each other but they’re also battling the might of the local WI and other assorted regional food producers. It should make for compelling viewing.” – Liam Keelan, Controller of Daytime, BBC

The series has been co-funded by STV Productions, the BBC and Creative Scotland. In 2011, Creative Scotland announced a development partnership with STV Productions for programmes developed in Scotland. The eight celebrity chefs include Aldo Zilli and Silvena Rowe, Rachel Allen and Theo Randall, Jun Tanaka and Galton Blackiston, Valentine Warner and Ed Baines.

“We are delighted to have secured another commission for BBC2. It should be a really fun, informative show with great recipes, fantastic locations and lots of jeopardy for the chefs who are going up against the country’s best local cooks. If they think this is going to be easy they are in for a big surprise.” – Wendy Rattray, creative director for STV Productions