Battle of the Chefs: Cooking up a Storm

03 Apr, 2016 - 00:04 0 Views
Battle of the Chefs: Cooking up a Storm

The Sunday Mail

Takudzwa Chihambakwe

“AFTER season one of Battle of the Chefs, my wife and I were broke as we had financed the whole project from our pockets. We had tried selling our concept to a lot of corporates in the country but were not getting the support.

“We had taken the children out of school and readied ourselves to leave the country and start over abroad. But our last meeting with the Pick n Pay gaffer on December 4, 2015 changed everything. My wife and I wept in disbelief as finally someone had endorsed our idea.”

These were the words of executive producer of Battle of the Chefs, Joseph Bunga, as he narrated to The Sunday Mail Leisure how he got Zimbabwe’s first reality television cooking show back on screen for a second season.

Season one was produced in Bunga’s home on zero budget and lots of passion and belief.

Exactly a year later, the story has changed with branding in 54 Pick n Pay outlets countrywide and billboards scattered around the country.

To show the power of corporate support, the Battle of the Chefs team has moved from a one acre set to 26 acres that will not only give the show a new international look, but also give value back to investors.

“Last year I was bedridden halfway through the show because I was doing too many things as the project was still in its infancy.

“This time around due to the corporate backing, we have managed to collaborate with some top players in the local film industry headed by Ben Mahaka.

“We have also managed to acquire five Canon C100 cameras that will enable us to have better picture quality in season two.

“Last year we were using borrowed cameras and even tripod stands from friends. This season we have our own gear and it’s amazing to see the difference the resources are making,” said Bunga.

Sixteen contestants will battle it out for the top prize of US$10 000 on the show that will start on April 10 and run through to July 3, 2016.

“The format this time around is a bit different from season one as we will not have teams competing, but one man for himself. Each episode will feature four contestants and there will be eliminations on each show till we get the winner. The season will be screened on ZBC TV every Sunday from 7pm to 8 pm and we promise viewers more emotion and drama as the chefs battle for the top prize.”

A the new purpose built studio is mind-blowing, the level of investment makes one wonder if this is indeed Zimbabwe or they have been taken to a film set of a South African cooking show.

From just a narrow two meter long shelf as a pantry in season one, season two comes with a whole room packed with various foodstuffs and it will be interesting to see the contestants running around the more spacious kitchen come April 10.

Bunga also emphasised the importance of collaboration and called on other filmmakers to work together if the industry is to blossom.

“I believe if the industry is to grow, there is need for all players to collaborate. Gone are the days when we used to do things for one individual to benefit. Even Government cannot build the industry by itself, everyone has to chip in.

“To get where we are today, it has been through consultations with various fundi in film, food industry and the audience, and we will continue consulting with them as we believe there is a lot to learn from our peers in the industry.

“We are open to collaborate and avail our space, expertise and equipment to other filmmakers, they can come in and we discuss how best to partner. We have agreed to give ZBC-TV a substantial amount of hours per week by January 2017 so there is a lot of work ahead of us and we believe collaboration is the way forward,” said Bunga.

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