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Jamie Oliver is aiming to find the next big cookbook star in a TV series from Channel 4 and Penguin Michael Joseph (PMJ), with the winner securing their own book deal.
The show, in development with Jamie Oliver Productions and Plum Pictures, will discover “who has the recipe for success and a winning cookbook concept", Channel 4 said.
Oliver's competition is open to foodies from all walks of life “from humble home cooks and unknown chefs, to Instagram food influencers and street food vendors". The bestselling chef presents the series and will mentor the contestants, "sharing his knowledge and experience to help develop their skills and passion for food”.
The seven episodes will see the would-be authors given Oliver’s guidance and proving to PMJ and expert judges they can create a bestseller. The series will begin with people from across the country pitching their cookbook ideas and signature dishes. The panel of experts will pick their favourites to return for the next part of the process, where the competitors must cook more dishes, hone their book concepts and see how their recipes rated with testers at home.
The series culminates with three finalists bringing their books to life for the judges and industry experts in a final pitch for the ultimate prize, a publishing deal with PMJ.
PMJ m.d. Louise Moore said: “Penguin Michael Joseph are hugely excited about our new project with Jamie, Plum Pictures and Channel 4 and are looking forward to working together to discover the next great talent in such a vibrant area of the market."
Oliver said: “I have been crafting cookbooks for over 20 years and I know the dedication, skill and intuition it takes to create recipes people want to buy and try at home. Breaking into publishing is incredibly difficult — an impossible dream for so many amazing cooks out there — so I am just so excited to get out there and discover incredible new talent, new perspectives and new approaches to cooking and food. We know the talent is out there and I’m thrilled to be able to help them fulfill their potential.”
This series was commissioned for Channel 4 by Jo Street, head of daytime and features, Clemency Green, commissioning editor for daytime and features, and Tim Hancock, commissioning editor for factual entertainment. It will be made by Jamie Oliver Productions and Plum Pictures and the executive producers are Samantha Beddoes and Will Daws.
To apply to take part, visit Plum Pictures' www.plumpictures.co.uk/cookbookstar">website.