Britain's leading Pay food TV channel, Good Food, has commissioned an exclusive epic series from Mentorn Media, called John Torode?s Australia, in association with Tourism Australia and Emirates. The show will see the renowned international chef setting off on a personal culinary road trip across Australia.
The 10 x 60' advertiser funded programme features product placement and follows John as he retraces the flavours of his childhood, the people who inspired his passion for food, and the places that shaped his early memories.
The series has been commissioned by Commissioning Executive, Victoria Barimore, and ordered by Good Food?s General Manager, Clare Laycock. The deal was put together by UKTV's Commercial Partnerships team; Director, Sally Quick and Manager, Kate Norum, Simon Wells, Head of IP and Entertainment Formats at Drum and Emma Humphreys, Regional PR Manager UK & Northern Europe from Tourism Australia.
John Torode?s Australia will show him catching up with his friends and family as well as meeting the immigrant communities who opened his eyes to a world of new flavours. This is an intimate journey where John will re-discover everything that is great about Oz, and the inspiration and origins of some of the country?s best-loved dishes.
From the restaurateurs who led the haute cuisine revolution down under, to the producers and growers who have been defining how Australians eat for decades, John will visit the ?birthplaces? of some of the most delicious and tempting food available. High on his list of priorities is top home grown produce including amazing coffee, world renowned wines, award-winning seafood and exceptional cuts of meat.
UKTV's Kate Norum said
?We're delighted to be working in partnership with the content team at Drum and two such well established brands as Tourism Australia and Emirates, helping to get this fantastic new series onto the Good Food Channel whilst combining both AFP & PP elements. With Production in the safe hands of the team at Mentorn, it promises to be a visual feast and perfect escapist TV for our discerning foodie audience.?
Emma Humphreys from Tourism Australia added
?We're really excited to be working with John Torode to bring this TV series to Good Food. Viewers will be able to experience a real taste of life in Australia on this culinary adventure as John meets some fascinating people, and experiences some incredible places and produce.?
Mentorn Media's Director of Programmes, Hannah Wyatt said
?This is an exceptional journey, giving a unique insight into one of the world's most popular chefs at a time when the exploration of Australian cuisine is at the forefront of people's minds. We're sure that coupled with the beautiful Australian landscape and scenery, it will prove very popular with Good Food?s viewers.?
The series will also provide viewers with an authentic snapshot of life in Australia. As part of this, John will be taking a trip to Kangaroo Island in South Australia, experiencing the early-morning fish auction in Sydney?s famous fish market, and joining the surfers on the Great Ocean Road.
In addition to the sumptuous recipes, which will be available on goodfoodchannel.co.uk, the series will also capture the stunning scenery of an Aussie road trip, providing a real sense of the different characters in the states of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.
This is Mentorn Media's second series with Good Food and follows the hugely successful series with the Hairy Bikers last year; Hairy Bikers' Mississippi Adventure.
John Torode?s Australia will be overseen by UKTV Commissioning Executive Victoria Barimore and Series Producer Jayne Hibbitt-Smith from Mentorn Media and will be shown on Good Food in 2014.
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Notes to Editors
For more information please contact: Lara Feinstein, Corporate Communications Co-ordinator on: 020 7299 6107 or email: lara.feinstein@uktv.co.uk
For interview requests with John Torode, please contact Nicola Rowley, Publicity Manager, Factual and Lifestyle on: 020 7299 6271 or email: nicola.rowley@uktv.co.uk
About Good Food HD
Sky / HD 247, Virgin 260 - goodfoodchannel.co.uk
Good Food features all the biggest names in food, including Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson, James Martin, Rachel Allen, Madhur Jaffrey and The Hairy Bikers. Appealing to both the expert cook and those who enjoy food-led entertainment, Good Food delivers exciting originations such as Choccywoccydoodah, The Roux Scholarship, Perfect?, Valentine Warner: Coast to Coast, Madhur Jaffrey?s Curry Nation and Monster Munchies! Alongside overseas titles such as Man v Food, Luke Nguyen?s Vietnam and Top Chef, Good Food is the UK's leading pay TV food channel with access to the best culinary talent and a passion for all things in the kitchen.
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