Chef Jock Zonfrillo will host a new food tourism television series linking Australia and China.
The show, to be called Chef Exhange will be co-hosted by Zonfrillo and a high-profile Chinese chef from Shandong Province.
The series will be produced by South Australian production company 57 Films, which recently documented a large South Australian trade delegation that visited its sister state of Shandong Province in March, headed by the state Premier Jay Weatherill.
According 57 Films director Paul Ryan, the television series will target iconic South Australia locations including Kangaroo Island, the Adelaide Hills, the Far North, Murray and Mallee and the Adelaide metropolitan area including the Adelaide Central Markets.
Filming will begin at the start of November.
“It is a truly exciting concept to be involved with,’’ 57 Films director Paul Ryan said.
“We will be visiting iconic locations throughout South Australia including Kangaroo Island, the Adelaide Central Market and our world class wine producing areas.’’
After the initial episode is filmed in South Australia production will shift to Shandong to complete the show and add Chinese highlights.
57 Films recently secured a 12-month lease of an office in Shandong where the final cuts will be made.
“In South Australia we probably have an audience of 50,000 for a show like this, in Shandong the potential audience is over 100 million,’’ Ryan said.
Ryan said the project would have a strong focus on cultural sharing, building respect and creating strong business partnerships.
Shandong-based QTV and 57 Films will share production costs for the show.
“The plan is to extend the series to 10 episodes focusing on regional destinations in South Australia with a focus on seafood and wine as well as luxury and functional foods,’’ Ryan said.
“We will show how to use South Australian food to appeal to the Shandong palate.’’
“The series will see the two chefs setting forth to discover the local culture, cuisine and the signature food and produce of the area.
“It will also look a the friendship that develops between the two chefs from sister cities over the duration the series.’’
“Each episode will take the viewer on tour from producer to plate with engaging stories of travel, discovery and taste.’’
He said there was increasing demand for premium produce in China as a result of the rising middle class.
“We will have South Australia companies promoting themselves while we are simultaneously promoting tourism visitation to amazing, pristine locations in our state.
“We want to draw visitors to South Australia as a food experience destination.’’
“We have secured a number of commercial partners in South Australia already and we are confident more South Australian food and wine producers become involved in the immediate future,’’ Ryan said.
Orana – The Journey from 57 Films on Vimeo.
This is a Creative Commons story from The Lead South Australia, a news service providing stories about innovation in South Australia.
