FME Teams with TVNZ for New Food Series

LONDON: FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME), TVNZ and food writer Annabel Langbein are working together on a new 13-part series, Free Range Cooking with Annabel Langbein.

New Zealand public broadcaster TVNZ will produce and broadcast the new show, with FME managing worldwide distribution. The series will screen on TV One in 2010 and will showcase Central Otago, where Langbein spends the bulk of her time with her husband and children on their farm. Filming for the series will begin this month, with Dana Youngman as producer. The show will feature Langbein cooking with fresh seasonal ingredients, making dishes that can be easily replicated in the home kitchen.

“Throughout the show I’ll demonstrate how easy it is to be a star in your own kitchen,” explained Langbein. “I’ll draw inspiration from the wonderful produce of Central Otago and show viewers the tricks to preparing simple yet stylish fare to share with family and friends.”

Jon Penn, the CEO for the Asia Pacific at FME, commented, “Annabel is already an established figure in New Zealand and with the great production team behind the show and our track record of developing major cooking brands and personalities around the globe, this project is going to be very exciting.”

TVNZ’s general manager of commissioning, Andrew Shaw, added: “We have the greatest respect and admiration for Annabel and the brand that she’s built up as a result of her drive and expertise. We are greatly looking forward to working with Annabel and FME, and to broadcasting this really beautiful programme in 2010.”

Langbein continued, “I am so excited about this incredible new chapter in my career and the exciting opportunities it will bring. My books are already distributed in nine countries so the TV series will provide me with fresh opportunities to further develop my brand in markets such as Europe and the U.S., as well as the chance to develop new skills in the world of television.”