Food Network UK Makes First Commission

LONDON: Marking its foray into original programming, Food Network UK has commissioned a 9×30-minute series featuring London chef and market trader Andy Bates.

Tentatively titled Andy Bates’ Street Food, the series will look at the history behind some of Britain’s most famous dishes and give them a modern "street food" interpretation. The show joins a lineup of that includes a mix of popular U.S. and international programs on Food Network UK, which launched November 2009. The channel has doubled its average viewing audience since the start of the year, becoming the third most viewed lifestyle channel for female viewers in Sky homes.

Nick Thorogood, the managing director for Food Network EMEA, commented, “The channel’s lineup presents a fantastic blend of U.S. and international programming and introduces fresh new talent Andy Bates. This commission provides an ideal opportunity to present the best of British with a modern street food twist.”

Bates added: “Scotch eggs, pork pies, even the classic custard tart are all noble dishes which have been reduced to flavorless junk food due to mass production. With this new series, Food Network UK is giving me a great opportunity to return these dishes to British hearts (and stomachs) with quality ingredients and great cooking. I want to reinstate the public’s faith in the great British classics.”