Sony creates recipe for Mexican Top Chef

Mexican network Canal Sony has ordered a local version of NBCUniversal format Top Chef, which will also air on US Hispanic channels.

Cinemateli Content struck the deal bringing the show to Mexico with NBCU International Formats, and the resulting show debuts in February 2016 on Sony Pictures Television’s general entertainment network.

Cinemateli will produce a 13x60mins show in different locations across the country, which will also air on NBCU-owned premium Hispanic channels in the US.

Top Chef hails from the US, where it began airing on Bravo in 2006 and is now in its twelfth season on the NBCU-owned cable channel. It pits chefs against each other in culinary challenges.

The first Central American remake of the show debuted on Canal 2 in El Salvador this month, where it took 2.2 million viewers, according to NBCU. TVN in Chile’s version is already established, produced by BCN Producciones, while a Spanish-language US celebrity version has run on Telemundo.

“We have enjoyed great success on Canal Sony with original productions, which reflect local audience tastes and create unique opportunities for our advertisers,” said T.C. Schultz, executive VP and managing director, Latin America and Brazil networks at SPT. “Top Chef Mexico is a fun, uncommon culinary competition that we are sure will find similar appeal.”

“Top Chef Mexico will showcase the greatness of Mexico’s culinary talent, traditions and ingredients in this diverse market,” said Dana Jenkins O’Donnell, executive producer, Cinemateli Content We will be telling inspiring stories while revealing secrets of Mexican cuisine through an intense competition featuring extremely passionate chefs and judges.”