Food Network (DStv 175) is producing a local version of its international reality food hit Chopped for South Africa, with Chopped South Africa which will start on the Food Network during the second quarter of 2014 in South Africa.
In the 10 hour long episodes of Chopped South Africa with presenter Denvor Phokaners and judges and fellow Food Network personality Jenny Morris and Siba Mtongana, as well as David van Staden, Lindsay Venn, Rebecca Hurst and Reuben Riffel, four chefs will be tasked to try and try make a three-course meal out of everyday ingredients.
After every course a contestant gets "chopped", until the last person wins R40 000.
The first season of Chopped South Africa follows the growing slate of local South African productions on the Food Network such as Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco, Siba's Table and Reza's African Kitchen.
Chopped South Africa is produced by Food Network in response to the growing and passionate foodie scene which has seen other broadcasters finding continued success with shows such as MasterChef South Africa on M-Net, and Come Dine with Me South Africa on BBC Entertainment.
According to sources, M-Net is for instance working on not just a third season of MasterChef South Africa for 2014, but also a MasterChef South Africa Celebrity version, doubling up on the MasterChef SA content due to the success of the show for the South African pay-TV broadcaster.
Chopped South Africa is produced by Snelco Prod. with Sue Nell as executive producer, in association with Ukhamba Communications. Eugene Naidoo is the director of Chopped South Africa.
"Chopped is the most highly rated and popular series on Food Network in South Africa and this new local commission will give more than 40 home grown chefs the chance to compete for victory in South Africa's very own Chopped kitchen," says Nick Thorogood, the senior vice president for content and marketing at Scripps for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.
