NBCUniversal and Cinemateli Content to expand Top Chef to Mexico

NBCUniversal International Formats announced a deal for its hit unscripted format Top Chef with Cinemateli Content that further expands NBCUniversal’s reach into the region. Produced by Cinemateli, Top Chef México will be filmed in different locations across Mexico, highlighting the diversity and quality of the country’s cuisine. The 13×60’ show will premiere February 2016 in Mexico on Canal Sony, Sony Pictures Television’s (SPT) premium general entertainment channel. It will also air in the US on NBC Universo, one of NBCU’s premium Hispanic channels. Top Chef is a reality competition show pitting chefs against each other in culinary challenges. It first aired on Bravo in the US in 2006 and is currently in its twelfth season.“We are extremely happy to announce the arrival of Top Chef in Mexico and look forward to seeing the contestants embark on this exciting culinary adventure. The Top Chef franchise has become an international phenomenon in recent years and we are thrilled at its continued expansion in the Latin American market,” commented Yvonne Pilkington, SVP Formats & Production, NBCUniversal International Formats. “Gastronomy is the most tangible expression of a country’s culture. Top Chef México will showcase the greatness of Mexico’s culinary talent, traditions and ingredients in this diverse market. We will be telling inspiring stories while revealing secrets of Mexican cuisine through an intense competition featuring extremely passionate chefs and judges,” said Dana Jenkins O’Donnell, executive producer, Cinemateli Content.“We have enjoyed great success on Canal Sony with original productions, which reflect local audience tastes and create unique opportunities for our advertisers. Top Chef México is a fun, uncommon culinary competition that we are sure will find similar appeal,” added TC Schultz, EVP & managing director, Latin America & Brazil Networks, Sony Pictures Television. This month, Top Chef has also premiered in El Salvador on Canal 2, marking the first Central American version of the format. The show was a formidable success, achieving 2.2 million viewers.