Banijay to Rep Wild Cooks

Banijay has acquired the exclusive global format distribution rights for the culinary adventure format Wild Cooks.

From the French-Canadian production company Toast in collaboration with Quebecor Content, Wild Cooks sees chefs leave their professional kitchens for an isolated forest camp. There, they battle the elements, food cravings and fatigue while preparing dishes using surprising ingredients and an open flame.

Wild Cooks launched on VRAI, a French-Canadian unscripted SVOD service, where a second season will be launched this week. The format will become part of the Banijay catalog, with the company globally representing the show, excluding French-Canada.

Carlotta Rossi Spencer, head of format acquisitions at Banijay, said: “There is something very cool about this unique series, which combines the very best elements of cookery and adventure-reality formats. As creatives, we can use our know-how and expertise with MasterChef and Survivor to collaborate and bring Wild Cooks to the international marketplace, and it will be exciting to see another format from French-Canada travel the world. Being a responsible producer, it also feels incredibly important to showcase sustainable food and amazing landscapes with the content we represent.”

Ian Quenneville, producer at Toast Studio, said: “This unique competition format Wild Cooks combines reality and survival genres with the wilderness and amazing chefs, who are cooking incredible and unexpected meals out of nothing! We can’t wait for the world to be entertained, but mostly inspired by, this fresh approach to culinary formats. It’s time to reconnect with nature… which has so much to offer.”

Cynthia Kennedy, VP of distribution at Incendo and Quebecor Content, said: “We are looking forward to seeing this incredible format take the world by storm with Banijay. It’s a truly unique reality show that leads viewers on an exciting journey of discovery into cooking, survivalism and the unspoiled wilds. We are confident that audiences around the world will respond to this format which showcases Québec’s creative talent.”