Discovery UK has made three new commissions for HGTV and Food Network to air this year.
A brand-new series, Michel Roux Jr.’s Simple French Country Cooking (w/t) and a second series of Gok Wan’s Easy Asian for Food Network and My Mortgage Free Home with Amanda Lamb for HGTV. All series will also have exclusive previews on discovery+.
From Outline Productions comes Michel Roux Jr.’s Simple French Country Cooking (w/t) (8×60) for Food Network this summer. A tasty slice of life in the South of France, this series follows Michel to the rural retreat in the Ardeche where he escapes each summer. Michel will share how he likes to cook simple French country cooking from home. From a bicycle ride to a local village boulangerie, to sharing wines and memories at his local wine cave, this is an atmospheric slice of Michel’s southern summer getaway. Michel will share no-nonsense recipes for simple snacks, stunning desserts, light lunches to be enjoyed in the sun, and satisfying main courses. A rich beef stew, a stunning salad of goat’s cheese, toasted walnuts and honey or delicious melon granita, Michel will turn simple ingredients into tasty recipes for table or terrace. The series has been co-funded by Samsung and will be distributed by All 3 Media International.
Helen Veale, Creative Director, Outline Productions, added: “We can’t wait to serve up a slice of the flavours of Southern France and to share Michel Roux Jr’s love for this beautiful part of the world. When he’s there, Michel loves to cook simple recipes made with the best local ingredients, and we think viewers won’t be able to resist trying them at home.”
Gok Wan is back to share his passion for Asian food in a second series of Gok Wan’s Easy Asian (8×30, plus a Christmas special) produced by Sidney Street (a Banijay UK Company) due to air on Food Network later this year. His easy to follow skills, and his easy banter, mean anyone can try cooking this at home.
Gok Wan takes viewers through his delicious repertoire of mouth-watering recipes! Some dishes are well-known from restaurants, cafes and food trucks up and down the country, such as Giant Spring Rolls, Pad Thai and Green Thai Curry. But this time Gok is also throwing in a brilliant splattering of tasty East Asian dishes that may be new, such as Tonkotsu and Char Kwai Taow. Each recipe is lovingly linked to Gok’s childhood and South East Asian culture, and the flavour-packed dishes are cooked in a way that only Gok Wan can … simple and accessible.
Sidney Street, added: “We are thrilled to be back in Gok’s kitchen cooking another batch of delicious South East Asian recipes. Gok’s skill and experience make even challenging ideas very easy to follow. It’s an insight into his life as a cook and his family’s incredible food legacy.”
And property expert, Amanda Lamb returns to HGTV this year for a second series of My Mortgage Free Home (15×60), produced by Raise the Roof. Fed up with the ball and chain of the monthly mortgage? Amanda Lamb shows families how freeing up equity in their homes could allow them to start a brand-new, debt free life. Amanda finds homes local to the families existing homes, as well as in parts of the UK that offer great value, to prove that a Mortgage Free home is out there if you’re clever about where you look.
Jo Scott, Head of Popular Factual at Raise the Roof, and Executive Producer for the show, added: “We are delighted to be working with Amanda and the team at HGTV to make another series of this inspirational show, finding mortgage free homes for families across the country.”
On ordering the shows, Clare Laycock, SVP, SVP Planning and Head of Content, Lifestyle & Entertainment, said: “I’m delighted to announce these recommissions for Gok Wan’s Easy Asian and My Mortgage Free Home. Both series were lockdown commissions from last year so it’s great to see them returning. I’m also really looking forward to living vicariously through Michel Roux Jr. as he shares his idyllic French country cooking with us.”
The three series were ordered by Clare Laycock and Charlotte Reid is the Commissioner. Matt Reid is Commissioning Executive for Food Network and HGTV.
Jon Creamer
Share this story
