Banijay has acquired exclusive global rights for "Wild Cooks" format

Banijay has acquired the exclusive global format distribution rights to "Wild Cooks," a genre-busting series from French-Canadian production company Toast in collaboration with Quebecor Content.“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," Cynthia Kennedy, Vice-President, Distribution of Incendo and Quebecor Content said. "We are confident that audiences around the world will respond to this format which showcases Québec’s creative talent."

Created for the French- Canadian audience by local production company Toast, "Wild Cooks" launched on VRAI, the leading French-Canadian unscripted SVOD service, and was so popular a second season will be launched this week. The format will become part of the Banijay catalogue, with the company globally representing the show, excluding French-Canada. This deal follows the recent news that Banijay’s Still Got It!, having landed an acquisition of an original, new factual entertainment format from South African prod-co Rebelintown. Banijay has also picked up two new Korean formats with Exchange from CJ ENM, and C21 Format Award nominee Bloody Game from MBC.

These formats join Banijay’s catalog of over 4000 formats, beside flagship brands "Survivor," "Hunted," "MasterChef," "LEGO Masters" and "Big Brother," as well as the company’s portfolio of fresh new IP Starstruck, Limitless Win, The Courtship, Your Body Uncovered and more. “There is something very cool about this unique series which combines the very best elements of cookery and adventure reality formats," Carlotta Rossi Spencer, Head of Format Acquisitions at Banijay said. "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.”

In the show, chefs from all walks of life compete in the wildest, most enthralling culinary battle on television.  Super chefs leave the comfort of their professional kitchens behind and are dropped into an isolated forest camp by helicopter. Battling the elements, as well as their own food cravings and fatigue, the chefs must prepare dishes using surprise ingredients.“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," Ian Quenneville, Producer at Toast Studio said. "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”