Sky 1 HD take Splash Media’s factual format COOKS TO MARKET to series
Sky 1 HD has commissioned Splash Media to produce a 20 x 60’ series of factual entertainment format COOKS TO MARKET, following a TX pilot commission in late 2011. The series will give amateur cooks a unique opportunity to see whether they can turn their delicious homemade food products into life-changing business opportunities. COOKS TO MARKET was commissioned by Sadia Butt, Commissioning Editor for Factual Entertainment at Sky, and will be Executive Produced by Fenia Vardanis and Jane Lush for Splash Media.
Innocent Smoothies, Chegworth Valley apple juice and Ben and Jerry's are just a few examples of food companies that began life on a market stall and have become hugely successful businesses - all started by people with a culinary passion. Each episode of COOKS TO MARKET will feature two pairs of cooks who will be given a budget and a kitchen to work in, with a day to cook their products.
The two pairs of cooks will go head to head, working against the clock and testing their relationships to breaking point as they try to sell their products to market and make the highest profit. The pair who succeeds will then be given the opportunity to pitch their product in front of a line-up of industry buyers.
COOKS TO MARKET will be presented by chef and food writer Gizzi Erskine and founder of Gü puddings, James Averdieck will assist and lend his business expertise to the contestants.
Sadia Butt commented: “We’re really looking forward to bringing this fresh, new format to Sky’s customers, which marries the worlds of cookery and business, in a way that gives real people a potentially life changing opportunity. We are also delighted to be working with Gizzi and James in their first venture for Sky.”
Fenia Vardanis added: “We can’t wait to start production on this exciting format for Sky 1 HD. We’ve already found a lot of talented cooks out there, and who knows, we may unearth the next New Covent Garden soups or Gü puddings.”
COOKS TO MARKET will air exclusively on Sky 1 HD and Sky 1 in Summer 2012. Following the addition of Sky 1 HD to Sky Go, customers will also be able to watch COOKS TO MARKET on the move on iPad, selected smartphones and laptops at no extra cost.
Notes to editor
About Sky
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Sky believes in making a wider contribution to the communities in which it operates, not least by increasing participation in, and access to, the arts, supporting grassroots sports, and taking positive action on the environment.
About Sky 1 HD:
Sky 1 HD is the most watched non-terrestrial channel in Sky homes, attracting more than 20m unique viewers every month and, according to the latest tracker results (October – December, 2011), was the third highest valued channel amongst all Sky subscribers behind only BBC1 and ITV1.
Sky 1 HD distinguishes itself from rival networks with original drama and comedy, talked about entertainment formats, distinctive factual programming and award-winning exclusive US drama.
