Food Network orders first EMEA Chopped remake

Food Network has commissioned a version of its culinary competition format Chopped in South Africa – the first time the Scripps-owned channels has produced it outside North America.

Chopped South Africa will follow the same format as the popular US original, which runs on Food Networks around the world.

This will see four local chefs per episode tasked with turning everyday ingredients into an amazing three-course meal, with the eventual winner netting R40,000 (US$4,000).

Local presenter Denvor Phokaners of SABC2 travelogue MooiLoop! will host the 10x60mins show, which Snelco Prods coproduced with Ukhamba Communications and Scripps at the SABC studios in Johannesburg.

The show’s judges include Food Network talents Siba Mtogana (Siba’s Table) and Jenny Morris (Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco), the latter of whom first pitched the local remake to Scripps Networks International’s senior VP, content and marketing Nick Thorogood.

“One of the things that’s central to what we’re trying to do is have a strong, coherent long term strategy. That’s about identifying talent we want to work with and sticking with them,” said Thorogood.

A mixture of Scripps cash, ad funding and brand sponsorship is financing for the show. Sue Nell is executive producer and Eugene Naidoo is director.

“Chopped is the most highly rated and popular series on Food Network in South Africa, and this new, local commission will give more than 40 home-grown chefs the chance to compete for victory in South Africa’s very own Chopped kitchen,” said Thorogood.

Chopped will broadcast in South Africa on the DStv platform in Q2 of next year. It will then launch on other Food Network channels around EMEA.