Hit new show Recipe For Love—as seen on C44—is going global!
As announced today by David Pisoni MP, the innovative SA-made dating/cooking show for over-50s, which premiered last night on C44, has already attracted international attention. Co-creators Marion Pilowskyand Georgia Humphreys of Adelaide’s Corner Table Productions have secured a global distribution deal with Media Ranch, a world leader in premium unscripted television. With headquarters in Montreal and representation in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea, Media Ranch is perfectly placed to take Recipe For Love to the world!
Pilowsky and Humphreys created Recipe For Love to combat loneliness in our community by marrying two of TV audiences’ favourite genres for a dating-cooking show exclusively for the over-50s searching for love and an adventurous new chapter of their lives. Each episode features one singleton enticed by dishes lovingly prepared by two dates. After dining together, our singleton chooses one date to progress with for a dessert date. Now the tables are turned as they cook a delicious sweet treat for their special guest and both have a chance to delve a little deeper and really get to know each other.
The Recipe For Love concept came out of the creators’ participation in the OUT OF THE BOX initiative run by Mercury CX and Channel 44 in July 2019 and later won funding to produce the premiere season in the ABC’s Collinswood studios.
Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni said the unprecedented acquisition was unique on several levels but most importantly because the IP is fully retained by its South Australian creators. “The Marshall Government applauds opportunities for content makers where custody of IP can remain in South Australian, enabling revenue streams to sustain and grow entrepreneurial South Australian companies who are competing in a global industry,” Minister Pisoni said. “We applaud South Australian Corner Table Productions recognising a gap in the market and creating an original and universal concept to fill it. The worldwide acquisition of the international format rights recognises their growth strategy in the best possible way.”
Filming in August 2020 created fifteen crew jobs and numerous attachment opportunities for emerging SA crew in a year when film and TV employment had been scarce.
Channel 44 General Manager Lauren Hillman said, “At a time when we all needed it the most, Recipe For Love is such a breath of fresh air and we are absolutely thrilled to now be premiering the show in a prime-time slot of 7.30pm.
“This series has been so important for the South Australian media industry. Not only did it create paid opportunities for local crew during a pandemic but Channel 44 was able to re-ignite production in the South Australian ABC studios at Collinswood because of it.”
Creators Marion Pilowsky and Georgia Humphreys believe that the best is yet to come for the series. “The response to our concept from sponsors to contestants was beyond our expectations. Our hope is that a national Australian broadcaster will recognise our audience’s passion and engagement and commission a full season of Recipe For Love – that’s the goal.”
The CEO of Mercury CX Karena Slaninka said, “We’re very hopeful that the produced pilot season will attract national broadcaster interest and thrilled that the very first production from a Mercury CX lab has been snatched up for worldwide distribution.”
Minister Pisoni added, “Initiatives such as the OUT OF THE BOX format lab help to construct the sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem in South Australia that builds companies and continues to brand SA as the nation’s nerve centre for entrepreneurs.”
Tanja Van Der Goes, Senior Vice President at Media Ranch said, “Media Ranch is excited to take Recipe For Love out to the world as part of our premium format catalogue. The show is primed for success in Australia and we believe there will be a strong interest for this heartfelt program around the globe.”
Recipe For Love airs Mondays at 7.30pm on C44 Adelaide and C31 Melbourne and Geelong.