Food Network gives Siba Mtongana a 2nd season for Siba's Table and a new series, Siba in the Kitchen; Reza Mohammad goes to Far East.

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Scripps Networks International has commissioned a further three new original shows for the Food Network (DStv 175) for the UK and Europe, Middle East and Africa (UK & EMEA) regions, with Reza Mohammad and Siba Mtongana, both regulars on the channel, doing new series.

Reza Mohammad will do 7 episodes of Reza Spice Prince of Thailand and 8 episodes of Reza Spice Prince of Vietnam under the "Spice Prince" franchise which will be broadcast on Food Network from 6 October.

Siba in the Kitchen - a working title for her new show - will start in the first quarter of 2015 for 5 episodes, followed by a second season of 10 episodes of Siba's Table in autumn next year.

The second season of Siba's Table will again be filmed in Cape Town and production will start in early 2015. The show became the 2nd most popular programme on Food Network in 2013 across the EMEA region.

"Discovering and nurturing local talent is a key focus for us, helping us to reflect the cultural diversity of the whole region that we operate in," says Nick Thorogood, the senior vice president of content and marketing of Scripps Networks UK & EMEA.

"By investing in our top ranking talent, we are able to ensure that we are creating exciting and fresh programming that appeals to both local and global audiences, all of which help our channel portfolio grow," says Nick Thorogood.

"I'm excited once again for the opportunity to share my cooking passion with the world to revive the lost love for home cooking," says Siba Mtongana. "I'm really looking forward to my next two series and creating even more magic".

"I have loved expanding my repertoire with mouth-watering dishes from the Far East and will share with you my sumptuous interpretation of the food inspired by my travels," says Reza Mahammad.

BREAKING. America's Cooking Channel buys Scripps Networks International's Siba's Table with Siba Mtongana.

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The Cooking Channel in the United States has acquired the South African TV production Siba's Table with Siba Mtongana from Scripps Networks International, making her the first South African celebrity chef to present a TV series on an American TV channel.

Siba's Table, filmed in Cape Town, was shown in 2013 on the Food Network on MultiChoice's DStv with a Christmas themed special episode. Its her second TV outing, after doing Cooking with Siba for M-Net's Mzansi magic TV channel.

Siba's Table will start on 5 April on the Cooking Channel which is available in 60 million homes in the United States.

"I shared Siba's Table with our colleagues stateside and are thrilled for Siba that Cooking Channel will be premiering the series in April for American audiences to enjoy," says Nick Thorogood, the senior vice president of content and marketing for the UK and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region for Scripps Networks International.

"I'm ecstatic about this wonderful news and really honoured to join the Cooking Channel in the United States," says Siba Mtongana. "This is great news for me, but more so for my beloved country, South Africa, as it will once again place the 'rainbow nation' on the map".

Gareth Williams appointed as the new vice president for commissioning at Scripps Networks International.

Gareth Williams who was a BBC Worldwide content executive is moving to Scripps Networks International as vice president for commissioning for the United Kingdom and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region in which South Africa falls.

Gareth Williams will take up the new position from April when he replaces Sue Walton.

Gareth Williams will report to Nick Thorogood, the senior vice president for content and marketing at Scripps Networks International.

Gareth Williams will oversee the commissioning for all of Scripps Networks International's channels such as Travel Channel, Food Network and Fine Living Network (FLN) which are seen in South Africa on MultiChoice's DStv and On Digital Media's (ODM) StarSat.

"Gareth brings insight and understanding across editorial and commissioning. His international experience, lifestyle expertise and his extensive knowledge of production communities across the globe will be invaluable as we continue to develop our portfolio of channels," says Nick Thorogood in a statement.

"Food and lifestyle programming has been my passion throughout my  career in TV and I am thrilled to be able to bring my experience and passion together in this new role working for the world's greatest platform for this genre of television," says Gareth Williams in the statement.

BREAKING. Food Network producing a local South African version of Chopped; 10 episodes of Chopped South Africa coming in 2014.

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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.

Jenny Powell's Luxury Uncovered going behind the luxurious facade of the world's best places on the Travel Channel from 24 October.

Two weeks ago I went to go and sip some champagne at Cape Town's One&Only hotel and to meet Jenny Powell, the presenter of the brand-new show Luxury Uncovered which will start on Thursday 24 October on Travel (DStv 179) at 20:00.

In Luxury Uncovered - 10 half hour episodes which include two shot in South Africa (episodes 4 and 8) - Jenny Powell experience some of the most luxurious hospitality places in the world - but in an interesting twist she has to work at it behind the scenes.

In Luxury Uncovered Jenny Powell discovers first-hand what it takes to deliver that five star service at the world's best places, where the wealthy waltzes in and have their every whim catered to. Because behind the scenes its not always that pretty and easy.

Luxury Uncovered will reveal the inner secrets of the service specialists, from the gourmet chef of the Delaire Graff Estate, to the bespoke butler at The Wellesley. Jenny Powell will be checking the golf leaf decoration and that it's absolutely perfect at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi and help to trim the greens with nail scissors at Gleneagles in Scotland. There's further lessons in etiquette on the Trans-Siberian Express in Russia and a beach reserve in South Africa.

"It's been an important focus for Travel Channel this year to bring not only bring fresh, new programming on-air, but also to localise content specifically for South Africa," says Nick Thorogood, the senior vice president for content and marketing at Scripps for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.

"We are pleased that Luxury Uncovered now includes episodes filmed here which uncover two of South Africa's typical luxury destinations," says Nick Thorogood.

Episode 1
The Emirates Palace, following the hotel's gold leaf specialist. Helping the Ladies in Red, the ultimate front of house team who has to anticipate the needs of the hotel's guests. Maintaining the water sports arena and maintaining every grain of sand, and diving to remove sea urchins from the water.

Episode 2
Head butler at The Wellesley in England teaches how to unpack and to laying out the room in the penthouse suite. A guide to chauffeuring in a Rolls Royce. Tea connoisseur and pastry team. A lesson in the world of humidor and how to trim cigars.

Episode 3
On the steam-powered luxury Trans-Siberian Express. Cleaning carriages, shovelling coal, preparing cabis,preparing five course meals and silver service.

Episode 4
Gourmet food at wine farm in South Africa.

Episode 5
The six star Crystal Symphony cruising on the Ionian Seas. "Turning down" the penthouse suite, helping the onboard florist, helping to host a glamorous cocktail party.

Episode 6
The art of golf caddying and tending to the Kings Course greens at Gleneagles in Scotland. How to lay the perfect table in the restaurant. The art of Falconry and learning whiskey.

Episode 7
Russian's Ritz Carlton hotel, helping with housekeeping and concierge. The art of sabrage at the hotel's rooftop bar.

Episode 8
Beach reserve in South Africa, tending to sick animals as a ranger, fishing for a beach braai.

Episode 9
In Stoke Park country club, England to run an exercise class, massage therapy, and maintaining the tennis courts.

Episode 10
On The Aurelia, a super yacht in the Mediterranean. Helping the chef, preparing drinks on deck, serving dinner, swabbing the decks.

BREAKING. Food Network gives second season to Jenny Morris; heading to France and Italy for Jenny Morris Cooks the Riviera.

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The Food Network (DStv 175) has given a second season pick-up to the Cape Town celebrity chef Jenny Morris who will do a second series entitled Jenny Morris Cooks the Riviera for the channel filmed along the French and Italian Rivieras.

Jenny Morris' first season of her show on the Food Network - the first South African commissioned TV production for the channel - debuted to boffo ratings when Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco started.

"Jenny's second series showcases one of South Africa's most loved chefs and her cuisine," says Sue Walton, the vice president for commissioning and original content for Scripps UK and the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.

"Throughout the series, Jenny's journey through the Riviera's picturesque landscapes will be stacked with inspiration as she serves up menus inspired by the natural beauty and glamour of her surroundings."

In the second series Jenny Morris will journey along the French and Italian Rivieras, starting in the west of France and travelling east along the coast. Jenny Morris Cooks the Riviera will show viewers Saint-Tropez, Monte Carlo, Portofino and Cinque Terre, as well as discovering some of the less well-known tucked-away places while preparing French and Italian cuisine.

"Once again Food Network is feeding my foodie soul," says Jenny Morris. "I'm delighted with the new commission and look forward to an incredible journey and fun experiences I can share with viewers throughout the world," says Jenny Morris..

""From Jenny's Cape Town cookery school she has already had many Mediterranean influences," says Nick Thorogood, the senior vice president for content and marketing for Scripps UK & EMEA. "I'm pleased she will have the chance to travel to the Riviera and explore the cuisine in more detail."

BREAKING. Filming of Siba's first Food Network series, Siba's Table, starts in Cape Town.

Filming has started on Siba's Table in Cape Town, celebrity chef Siba Mtongana's new TV cooking show for the Food Network which will be seen in South Africa as well as 85 countries across Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the United Kingdom.

It follows after The Food Network signed Siba Mtongana - known as Siba - to produce a brand-new South African cooking show for the channel last year, following her TV show Cooking with Siba on the Mzansi Magic channel programmed by M-Net.

The young black food editor became the second local South African chef to get her own Food Network TV show after Jenny Morris. Filming was delayed until early 2013 due to Siba Mtongana's pregnancy who gave birth to a healthy baby boy in September 2012.

Siba's Table will have 10 half-hour episodes in which Siba Mtongana creates a range of dishes for friends and family.

"Each episode of Siba's Table recreates a chapter of her Cape Town life, as she draws on influences from her childhood, her experience as a food editor, as well as vibrant local artisan producers and the local cutting-edge restaurant scene," says the Food Network.

"Part 'how to' and part lifestyle, Siba's Table is an irresistible half hour slice of recipe ideas, tips and inspiration for all occasions, from weekend brunch and instant suppers, to family feasts and beach braais."

"Siba epitomises the rich fusion culture of South African food today," says Nick Thorogood, the senior vice president for content and marketing at Scripps for the Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.

"Siba is an exciting and charismatic talent and Siba's Table is the perfect way to showcase and share her inspiring and contemporary dishes across South Africa and beyond," says Nick Thorogood.

BREAKING. Travel Channel launches major rebranding with new on-air look and logo; promises new programming, schedule overhaul.

The Travel Channel (DStv 179) is rebranding with a new look, logo an on-air identity.

Scripps Networks Interactive which supplies the Travel Channel to MultiChoice's DStv has done a comprehensive brand refresh of the travel channel which is rolling out today in South Africa and other countries besides North America, and then later in America as well.

The Travel Channel is also going to see a major overhaul of its scheduling and programming, including what Scripps Networks Interactive says is "series premieres across 6 new programming genres" in addition to the staple core of programming which Scripps says "resonates with global audiences".

"As the leader in lifestyle media in the home, food and travel categories, Scripps Networks is proud to be investing in a brand-new identity for Travel Channel across its international territories," says Nick Thorogood, the senior vice president for content and marketing for Scripps for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.

"We are building an even stronger brand," says Nick Thorogood. "We believe the new programming and presentation, alongside the new look will appeal to all our audiences, affiliate partners and advertisers alike - it's dynamic, fresh and delivers the experience and quality of a modern world-class channel."

The Travel Channel will be adding more than 400 hours of new content as part of the channel's scheduling and programming overhaul. Six new programming genres - adventure experience, factual travel, lifestyle, food, luxury and travel passions - will become a part of the channel's line-up.

The creative agency Lambie-Nairn worked with Travel Channel to devise new on-air materials. The interstitials were filmed in South Africa, and portray the movement and sensory experiences associated with travel.

New programming in March, April and May on Travel Channel include Middle Kingdom Ride (10 April at 20:00 and 20:30), It's a Women's World (6 May at 19:00), Hotel Impossible - After Anthony (22 April at 20:00), Jonathan Phang's Caribbean Cookbook (23 April at 21:00), Travel Like a President (15 May at 19:00 and World's Greatest Motorcycle Rides - Russia (27 March at 20:00).

BREAKING. Jenny Morris Cooks Marocco a massive viewership success for The Food Network on DStv in South Africa and abroad.

Jenny Morris is going to China! Well, almost. The superb South African chef's dream to visit China for an upcoming possible second season is inching ever closer since a second season of Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco on The Food Network (DStv 185) is now all but clearly assured - the show is a huge ratings success.

The opening two episodes of Jenny Morris Cooks Marocco during the 20:10 timeslot on The Food Network delivered the strongest audience for the channel of the whole of 2012.

Jenny Morris Cooks Marocco lifted the Food Network's Monday slot viewer average on DStv by a whopping 20%.

"Viewer response to Jenny as a new chef was overwhelming, performing on par with our already well-known Food Network star talents," says Nick Thorogood, the senior vice president for content and marketing of Scripps Networks Interactive.

"We are hugely impressed with the engagement Jenny's show has had with viewers, not only in South Africa but in all of the 85 countries where her first series was broadcast."

BREAKING. Pregnant Siba to keep cooking - now for the Food Network as young chef becomes 2nd South African to get her own show.

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The pregnant chef Siba Mtongana will keep cooking - the young black food editor has become the second local South African chef to get her own as-yet-untitled locally commissioned cooking show on the Food Network (DStv 185).

Sibahle Mtongana who will become a mother soon was the star of Cooking with Siba on M-Net's Mzansi Magic (DStv 107) channel, and has now signed with the Food Network for a new cooking show which will be seen in 85 countries throughout Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

Her show follows on the heels of Jenny Morris, the first South African chef to sign with the Food Network whose Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco is currently on the channel on Mondays at 20:10.

"Food Network is always on the look out for fresh new talent in South Africa and Siba certainly fits the bill," says Nick Thorogood, the senior vice president of content and marketing who said the channel is delighted to have Siba Mtongana on board. "She's dynamic, passionate about food and audiences love her - everything that's important to the Food Network brand."

The channel will be conceptualising with Siba Mtongana over the course of the next few months says the Food Network to create her show, saying it wants to "deliver a fun and entertaining series on the Food Network that will inspire and delight foodies and non-foodies alike."

Filming of Siba Mtongana's new cooking show will start in early 2013 after she has given birth.

Scripps Networks restructures its London operation from where South African viewers get The Food Network, FLN and Travel.

Scripps Networks Interactive has restructured its operations in the United Kingdom from where South African pay TV viewers receive several TV channels such as The Food Network (DStv 185) and Travel Channel International (DStv 181) on MultiChoice and Fine Living Network (FLN) (TopTV 451) on On Digital Media (ODM).

Jonathan Sichel has been appointed as the managing director for the business and will be in charge, based in London, for these channels' day-to-day operations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa or so-called EMEA region.

His job will be to expand distribution, further develop the brands in the region and to boost viewership and revenue of The Food Network, Travel Channel International and FLN. He will be reporting to Bob Baskerville, the chief international operating officer for Scripps Networks Interactive.

Meanwhile Nick Thorogood, previously the managing director of Food Network EMEA has been named senior vice president of content and marketing for the UK and EMEA, reporting to Jonathan Sichel.

BREAKING. The Food Network orders its 3rd new non-American TV show, From Spain with Love.

The Food Network (DStv 185) channel feed seen in South Africa has ordered a third new TV show, From Spain with Love, that's set to start on the channel in October.

From Spain with Love will have 13 episodes and the food travel show will follow presenter Annie Sibboney around Spain as she explores the country's signature dishes and culinary culture.

''The series is more than just a recipe show. Annie does an amazing job of inviting viewers in, to give them an authentic taste and feel for Spanish culture and cuisine,'' says Nick Thorogood, the managing director of The Food Network for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.