BBC Two has commissioned Expectation Factual to produce Kitchen Brigade, a six episode series following Jason Atherton as he finds undiscovered talent from British catering, trains up ten ambitious chefs and turns them into a Kitchen Brigade to take on the best in the world.
Kitchen Brigade is a 100-year-old hierarchical structure that forms the basis of restaurant kitchens throughout the world. In each episode the chefs will be trained and mentored by Jason as they travel to the heartland of the finest cooking destinations in Europe where they will have a week to immerse themselves in the local culture and learn the local cooking.
As the series progresses from country to country the challenges will get tougher and at the end of each week the Brigade will go head-to-head with a rival kitchen in a cook-off. Along the way, the brigade will live and work together as they attempt to demonstrate the necessary skills and techniques required by Jason’s exacting standards to keep their place in the face of stiff competition, at any time they can be replaced with a reserve Brigade member at Jason’s discretion. Under the guidance of Jason the brigade will aim to become a tight knit team capable of competing with the world’s best.
“This series moves back-to-basics, focusing on the theory that the best food is cooked by the best kitchen and driven by the raw energy and spirit of talented chefs”, said Colin Barr, Creative Director for Expectation Factual. “Jason Atherton is an incredible mentor, his knowledge, technical ability and his inspiring attitude make him the perfect chef to lead The Brigade and help change people’s careers by learning how to live the life of a successful chef.”
Barr serves as an executive producer alongside Dominique Foster. The series was commissioned by BBC Two Controller Patrick Holland and Clare Sillery, the BBC’s Head of Commissioning for Documentaries. The commissioning editors are Emily Smith and Clare Sillery. Graham Sherrington serves as the series producer and director. Kitchen Brigade is set to air on BBC Two in 2019.
