The Food Network in South Africa and Africa from Scripps Networks Interactive getting its own regionalised and curated channel feed on DStv from September.

The South African and African version of The Food Network (DStv 175) from Scripps Networks Interactive will be getting its own customised channel feed for the region from September on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform.

 Scripps' new regional content boss Paul Welling - formerly from Discovery Networks International and now Scripps Networks Interactive's new head of content for the UK & EMEA region since his move to Scripps in May - made the announcement about The Food Network.

Scripps says the decision to give South African and African viewers a better customised channel feed follows significant audience and viewership growth for the channel in the region.

The better packaged and curated Food Network for South Africa will be noticed from 1 September. Scripps says the regionalised Food Network remains commited to commissioning original local productions and bringing its hit United States series to South Africa's DStv subscribers.

Currently Scripps Networks International distributes three lifestyle channels across the United Kingdom and the Europe, Middle East and Africa (UK & EMEA) region.

Food Network and Travel Channel are available on MultiChoice's DStv in South Africa, and Fine Living is available on the Chinese operator StarSat's platform.

Upcoming programming on The Food Network include new seasons of Siba's Table, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and Man Fire Food.

The 3rd season of Siba Mtongana's Siba's Table with 10 episodes is subtitled "Sibalicious" and starts on 7 September at 20:00.

In this new season Siba Mtongana gives traditional food a modern makeover and her signature "Sibalicious" spin, reinterpreting recipes in her own way and showing viewers how.

A new series of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives also premieres on Food Network in September. This time, host Guy Fieri crosses the Atlantic to sample the varied cuisines of Spain, before heading to Mexico and back to his home turf in the USA for a tour of foodie delights.

There’s more of Guy in Guy’s Grocery Games, where four talented chefs are sent running through the aisles in a high-stakes, high-skills, grocery store cooking competition.

In Man Fire Food, Roger Mooking’s American odyssey continues throughout September as the King of Braai travels the length and breadth of the US in search of the best chefs that cook with fire.

From small campfires to creative custom-made grills and smokers, he meets with home cooks, pitmasters and chefs in outdoor kitchens across the country, who share their culinary secrets while cooking up a storm.

A brand new series of Chopped premieres on Food Network in October in which four chefs face off, cooking with an unusual combination of ingredients to create extraordinary three-course meals.

Bakers vs Fakers is also set to premiere, featuring host Lorraine Pascale and a panel of guest judges who will try to sift the bakers from the fakers, with a cash prize up for grabs.

To celebrate Halloween, Food Network brings some spooky US food competitions to televisions in October.

In Halloween Baking Championship, top bakers create creepy-crawly desserts and towering confections of terror to prove their baking prowess. 

The deliciously scary returning series Halloween Wars unites cake decorators, candy makers and pumpkin carvers to build the most scream-inducing confections going around.

The Food Network in South Africa and Africa on DStv from Scripps Networks Interactive getting its own customised channel feed from September.

Paul Welling, VP of content, announcing from 1 Sept we will have our very own SA feed on @DStv ! #sibastable pic.twitter.com/lvJ9DxjYkm

— Food Network SAfrica (@FoodNetworkSA) August 15, 2017

The South African and African version of The Food Network (DStv 175) from Scripps Networks Interactive is apparently getting its own Food Network channel feed from September on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform.

The Food Network had a media launch today in Cape Town with a similar one set for Wednesday in Johannesburg for the new season of Siba's Table with TV chef and presenter Siba Mtongana.

In Cape Town on Tuesday, Scripps' new regional content boss Paul Welling announced something in the line of South Africa that will be getting its own Food Network channel feed from September although specific details are not available or known yet.

Currently Scripps Networks International distributes three lifestyle channels across the United Kingdom and the Europe, Middle East and Africa (UK & EMEA) region.

Food Network and Travel Channel are available on MultiChoice's DStv in South Africa, and Fine Living is available on the Chinese operator StarSat's platform but getting zero publicity.

Travel Channel and Fine Living are also available on Econet Media's Kwese platform elsewhere in Africa since February this year.

TVwithThinus isn't able to comprehensively report on the newly packaged Food Network channel feed for South Africa from Scripps and what exactly that - and the change - entails since there was no invitation to the media launch event and by Tuesday night there wasn't any press release or stories elsewhere yet to reference from media who did attend.

Although I wasn't told beforehand that there would be any Food Network launch for Siba's Table, and with PR company Mortimer Harvey in South Africa that didn't respond to any of the media enquiries made on Tuesday about the event, it is however clear from a Food Network SA tweet on social media that some type of adjusted and bespoke Food Network is coming to DStv from September.

Tuesday's media event was significant since it also marks the first public appearance in South Africa of TV executive Paul Welling - formerly from Discovery Networks International.

This was Paul Welling's first time back in South Africa and speaking publicly after his jump to Scripps Networks Interactive in his new position as Scripps Networks Interactive's head of content for the UK & EMEA region since his move to Scripps in May this year.

There is no transcript of what Paul Welling said and announced at Tuesday's Food Network and Siba's Table media event, neither is there any press release available about Siba Mtongana and what she had to say.

However the upcoming 3rd season with 10 new episodes of the successful Siba's Table is set to start on 7 September at 20:00 on the Food Network.

Viewers will see a slight change in the upcoming 3rd season since the start of the series on the Food Network in September 2013.

Now Siba Mtongana will give traditional dishes and recipes her "sibalicous" spin by showing viewers how she creates her own unique re-interpretation to food ranging from.braai pork and snacks to steak and even creating a blind date for some of her friends.

Burton Jablin appointed as COO of Scripps Networks Interactive; Kathleen Finch appointed chief of programming and content officer.

In the United States Scripps Networks Interactive has promoted Burton Jablin (left) to chief operating officer (COO), while Kathleen Finch has been appointed chief programming, content and brand officer.

Scripps Networks Interactive runs channels like The Travel Channel and The Food Network which are available through Scripps Networks International on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform, and Fine Living Network (FLN) on On Digital Media (ODM) and StarTimes Media SA's StarSat satellite pay-TV platform.

Burton Jablin who will report to Scripps Networks Interactive CEO Kenneth Lowe, will be overseeing sales, distribution, programming, digital and strategic planning for the company.

Burton Jablin will have to look at greater coordination and cooperation between Scripps Networks' programming in the United States and its international programming as seen for instance in South Africa and elsewhere around the world as the group continues to expand internationally.

Kathleen Finch will now be responsible for content in the United States - a lot of which filters through and is seen internationally on the international versions of these channels like The Travel Channel and The Food Network.

"As Scripps Networks Interactive continues to grow, both in the United States and internationally, it's important that we take a more coordinated approach to how we operate our business and create content," says Kenneth Lowe.

Food Network's celebrity chefs Jenny Morris and Reza Mahammad teaming up to present new show, Jenny & Reza's Fabulous Food Academy.

The Food Network (DStv 175) celebrity chefs Jenny Morris and Reza Mahammad have teamed up and are filming a brand new edutainment cooking teaching show Jenny & Reza's Fabulous Food Academy in South Africa which will be broadcast on the channel from later this year.

It's the first TV production in which Jenny Morris and Reza Mahammad, both beloved and recognised faces on the Food Network in their own shows, are starring and working together as co-presenters of the new show teaching would-be chefs how to create a delicious feast while passing on cooking tips.

Jenny & Reza's Fabulous Food Academy, a first season which will consist out of 25 half hour episodes, was commissioned by Scripps Networks UK & Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) with filming which recently started at Okuhle Media's studios in Cape Town.

Jenny & Reza's Fabulous Food Academy was commissioned by Gareth Williams, the vice president for commissioning at Scripps Networks UK & EMEA, with Louise McClelland of Okuhle Media as executive producer.

In Jenny & Reza's Fabulous Food Academy Jenny Morris and Reza Mahammad help amateur chefs across South Africa in their custom-designed studio with tips and techniques on how to cook like a professional.

From basics to Mediterranean and Asian-inspired dishes, the chefs bring their unique and now combined sense of humour to this new show as they put the participants through their paces.

"We are proud to be launching a new format with Jenny and Reza who have been a huge hit with our audiences across the region," says Phillip Luff, the managing director for Scripps Networks UK & EMEA.

"Our continued investment in our talent and original commissions has allowed for us to expand our portfolio as one of the world's leading producers of engaging lifestyle content."

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.

Jenny Morris Cooks the Riviera as South Africa's Giggling Gourmet goes on a culinary tour of the French and Italian Riviera.

South Africa's Giggling Gourmet, the Cape Town based celebrity chef Jenny Morris is cooking her way along the spectacular French and Italian Riviera in a second season of her TV show Jenny Morris Cooks starting today (Monday) on Food Network (DStv 175) at 12:15 and 16:25 on weekdays.

Jenny Morris Cooks the Riviera follows on the successful Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco.

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.

In Jenny Morris Cooks the Riviera, Food Network viewers will see the beloved and effervescent South African chef share more of her own food preparation secrets for delicious meals during her Mediterranean adventure.

In easy to follow instructions for viewers when making mouthwatering meals, Jenny Morris journeys from the olive groves of Liguria to the crystalline waters of Monaco and St Tropez.

As she did with Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco, Jenny Morris will use and infuse signature ingredients in the dishes prepared in Jenny Morris Cooks the Riviera.

BREAKING. Paul Deen dumped by The Food Network over racial slur; TV chef fired after admission that she used racial slur in the past.

The Food Network (DStv 175) has dumped Paula Deen after the TV chef's admission - and a few hours ago a video apology - of using a racial slut in the form of the "N" word in the past.

"The Network will not renew Paula Deen's contract when it expires at the end of this month," says the TV channel, owned by Scripps Networks Interactive, in a just released statement.

Paula Deen appeared in her own apology video a few hours ago, saying "I want to apologize for everybody for the wrong that I've done," in 46 seconds in which a haggard-looking Paula Deen said that she wasn't able to go on television in America on Friday to talk about it. "Inappropriate hurtful language is totally, totally unacceptable."

"I want to apologize to everybody for the wrong that I've done. I want to learn and grow from this."

"I've made plenty of mistakes along the way, but I beg you, my children, my team, my fans, my partners – I beg for your forgiveness. Please forgive me for the mistakes that I've made."

Paula Deen appeared on The Food Network in shows such as Paula's Home Cooking, Paula's Best Dishes and Paula's Party has built a food empire around her brand which includes cookbooks, restaurants and cooking utensils.

Chef Reza in South Africa to launch his brand-new show, Reza's African Kitchen, on The Food Network starting on 25 March.

The well-known international chef Reza is in South Africa and visited Cape Town today to launch his brand-new African cooking and exotic travelogue series, Reza's African Kitchen which will start on The Food Network (DStv 175) from Monday 25 March on weekdays at 11:50 and 17:15.

In Reza's African Kitchen (which will have repeats on Mondays at 21:00 and Sundays at 13:05 and 14:45 on The Food Network) viewers will see the inimitable chef go on a veritable Southern African food safari.

Reza's African Kitchen is the second specifically African TV production commissioned by The Food Network to make it to air on the fast-growing channel, following on after the delightful Jenny Cooks Marocco from celebrity chef Jenny Morris.

Jenny Cooks Marocco was an instant South African TV hit when it was broadcast on The Food Network last year. The beloved Jenny Morris who runs the popular The Giggling Gourmet in Cape Town delivered record viewership ratings for channel - something The Food Network hopes to replicate with Reza's African Kitchen.

"The Food Network continues to make its mark in South Africa on DStv and we're incredibly excited about Reza's new show which follows 16% viewership growth year-on-year for The Food Network on DStv," says Nick Thorogood, the senior vice president for content and marketing for the UK and the Europe, Middle East and Africa region (EMEA) for Scripps Network Interactive.

Nick Thorogood jetted in from London to South Africa and visited Johannesburg, and then Cape Town today.

"The Food Network in South Africa now attracts more than half a million viewers a day and the channel continues to grow and expand with quality programming and entertainment with food at its heart," says Nick Thorogood.

"I've been in Africa and to South Africa and certain parts, but with Reza's African Kitchen it was my very first time around Southern Africa. Viewers will experience with me extraordinary countries," says Reza who is also known as The Spice Prince.

Reza's African Kitchen will see the Spice Prince explore African cuisine from the spicy Indian influences of exotic locales such as Botswana, Namibia, Zanzibar and Zambia to South Africa's coast while Reza goes tiger fishing, herds sheep, snorkels and even goes horse-riding.

Episodes of Reza's African Kitchen - there's 10 episodes in the first season - were filmed at South Africa's West Coast and the fishing village of Paternoster, Botswana's Okovango Delta, Soweto, Durban, Cape Town and the Karoo in South Africa, a spice plantation and villages in Zanzibar, the luxurious Royal Livingstone Express in Zambia travelling through the Zambezi Valley as well as Namibia.

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 celebrity chef and new Food Network star Siba Mtongana gives birth to a healthy baby boy in Cape Town.

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I can break the news that the pregnant Siba Mtongana has just given birth and has become the proud mom of a baby boy earlier today.

Sibahle Mtongana - better known as Siba - recently signed on as the latest South African celebrity chef to get her own cooking show on the Food Network (DStv 185) which the new mom will serious get involved in from now.

She, as well as the Food Network was waiting for the birth to happen, then a period of maternity leave, after which South African viewers will get to see the new, as-yet-untitled show in 2013.

Siba was previously on South African television in Cooking with Siba on M-Net's Mzansi Magic (DStv 107) channel. Next year her new Food Network show will be seen in 85 countries throughout Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

Siba's little baby boy is in good health, and I'm told there was no complications when Siba gave birth today in the Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital in Cape Town. "Both mother and son are doing very well," I'm told.

Programming note: The first season of Charly's Cake Angels coming to the Food Network from Tuesday 25 September at 17:40.

The funny, light, yet emotionally touching South African reality show Charly's Cake Angels which viewers first saw at the end of last year has been picked up by the Food Network (DStv 185) and will start on the food channel on Tuesday 25 September at 17:40.

The delightful show's first season which was a hit with viewers as well as critics, follows Jacqui Biess and her 3 daughters in South Africa's most famous cake bakery, Charly's Bakery in Cape Town.

Charly's Cake Angels has been picked up for a second season earlier this year and is being produced by Justin Bonello's Cooked in Africa.

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.

Jim Samples appointed as president of international business at Scripps Networks Interactive; will oversee international programming.

Scripps Networks Interactive has appointed Jim Shamples as president of its international business which runs channels such as the Food Network (DStv 185) seen in South Africa and run from Britain. Bob Baskerville has been promoted to chief operating officer (COO), international.

Jim Samples (left) replaces Greg Moyer. Jim Samples will now oversee Scripps Networks Interactive's international programming portfolio with the Food Network has that commissioned a few brand-new non-American TV series the past few months which will start on the channel in 2012.

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.

The Food Network orders a second original and non-American food show exploring Indian cuisine, Reza's Indian Food Palaces.

The Food Network's (DStv 185) channel feed seen in South African (from Britain) has commissioned a second brand-new, non-American TV show viewers will get to see soon - a programme dedicated to Indian cuisine called Reza's Indian Food Palaces (working title).

The Food Network's British version - a joint venture between Scripps Networks Interactive and Chello Zone - is making a second series of 10 episodes that will be folowing chef Rez Mahammad around palaces in Rajasthan to discover this history of royal food and feasts.

''Supporting local talent and delivering more original [UK] commissioned programming is high on our priority list,'' says Nick Thorogood, The Food Network's managing director in a statement. ''Reza's Indian Food Palaces is a perfect mix of adventure travel and recipe-based advice coupled with local flavoursand represents only the beginning of what's to come on Food Network''.

At the beginning of this month The Food Network announced its first non-American show, Andy Bates' Street Feasts after The Food Network made crucial appointments in June with the vision of starting to produce and fill the schedule with more non-American food shows.

BREAKING. The Food Network to do its first-ever South African local cooking show with South African chef Jenny Morris.

The Food Network (DStv 185) in Britain - which is the feed of the channel that's seen in South Africa through MultiChoice's pay platform - and which has just commissioned its first original TV show, Andy Bates' Street Feasts, is also going to do a first-ever local South African TV show with the chef Jenny Morris.

ALSO READ: The Food Network as seen in South Africa orders its first original TV series, Andy Bates' Street Feasts.

ALSO READ: The Food Network working on bringing viewers more original non-American programming.

In a Food Network press statement announcing the news about Jenny Morris getting a show on the channel, Nick Thorogood, managing director for the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region says the channel is ''delighted to have Jenny Morris on board''.

''It's great to be collaborating with someone as knowledgeable and talented as Jenny Morris for our first SA commissioned show. She is well established and respected in the industry and we're really looking forward to developing a great show with her that will inspire foodies and non-foodies alike.''

Jenny Morris says she ''excited'' to be working with The Food Network to develop the channel's first South African show.

BREAKING. The Food Network as seen in South Africa, orders its first original TV series, Andy Bates' Street Feasts.

The Food Network (DStv 185) in Britain - the adapted channel feed of this American TV network that MultiChoice is broadcasting on DStv in South Africa - has ordered its first original and non-American TV show, Andy Bates' Street Feasts.

ALSO READ: The Food Network working on bringing viewers more original and non-American programmning.

Producer Sweet TV will be filming 10 half hour episodes of Andy Bates' Street Feasts, giving traditional british food a ''street twist'' with executive producer David Nottage. Andy Bates' Street Feasts will be presented by the chef and market trader ''Pie Man'' who is known for his British food sold from a stall in London's Brick Lane.

The Food Network to start South Africa's first annual Food Network National Potjie Challenge in August.

The Food Network (DStv 185) will be starting its first annual Food Network National Potjie Challenge that will take place on Saturday 27 August at Sun City Cabanas with 6 teams that will be competing for a gold, silver and bronze potjie trophy.

''We are really excited about establishing an event that truly represents South African food and culture,'' says Nick Thorogood, managing director of The Food Network for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.

''Potjie is a much loved tradition enjoyed by the population of South Africa and Food Network hope there'll be no better way to celebrate this delicious food than by creating a National Potjie Day for everyone to participate in and really enjoy.''

The Food Network working on bringing viewers more original and non-American programming; appoints two executives.

The Food Network (DStv 185) in Britain - the adapted channel feed of this American TV network that MultiChoice is broadcasting on DStv in South Africa - is working on bringing viewers more original and non-American programming.

The Food Network has appointed Sue Walton as consultant head of commissioning and original content and Kate Bradshaw as consultant head of digital. Both worked at the British broadcaster ITV before joining the Scripps Networks International channel.