“MasterChef Asia” is back. Banijay Lights has signed a deal with Creasia Studios, part of Warner Bros. Discovery and Endemol Shine India, to produce a new 10-episode series of the pan-Asian cooking competition, marking the format’s return to the region after a 10-year hiatus.
The new 10-part 60-minute series will be filmed in Macau, which is designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Rather than casting new faces, the series will bring back 10 former MasterChef contestants from across the continent, each competing for a second shot at the title.
The show will air on TLC, Discovery and Asian Food Network in India, Southeast Asia, Greater China and South Korea, Lala TV in Japan and Fatafeat channel in the Middle East. Macau Government Tourism Office is the production partner of this series.
The deal was brokered by Rashmi Bajpayee, Executive Vice President, Asia, Banijay Rights.
“The return of MasterChef Asia marks an important milestone for this iconic global format and the Asian television market,” said Mr. Bajpayee. “We are proud to partner with Warner Bros. Discovery to bring you an exciting new series that reflects the extraordinary culinary creativity of Asia.”
“Asia is a melting pot of gastronomy, and we look forward to working with Banijay Rights and our partners to bring this new global hit format to fans across the region,” said Lynn Ng, GVP and Head of APAC Network Content, Warner Bros. Discovery.
Deepak Dhar, Founder and Group CEO of Banijay Asia and EndemolShine India, added, “The return of MasterChef Asia reflects the region’s growing creativity and scale. Bringing the series to life in Macau, a city renowned for its culinary heritage, marks an exciting new chapter for the brand.”
Maria Helena de Sena Fernandez, Director General of the Macau Tourism Board, said: “We are very happy to welcome MasterChef Asia to Macau. As a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, food is at our heart and this partnership is a great way to share our passion with the world.”
“MasterChef” was created by Fran Roddam and first aired in 1990. The format is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s most successful culinary television franchise, with more than 700 seasons and 16,000 episodes produced in 72 markets. Banijay Rights will be responsible for global distribution of the brand.
