Popular online cooking brand expands into the world of animation with ‘Chefclub Friends;’ currently in development, the show is set to be presented at Kidscreen and MIPTV.
The online cooking destination, Chefclub, is expanding its dedicated kids’ network Chefclub Kids into the world of animation with the goal of helping kids have fun in the kitchen. Currently in development, Chefclub Friends (52 x 11, TBC), is a 2D animated edutainment series for 5- to 7-year-olds starring the animated mascots from the kids’ cooking network.
Launched in 2016, Chefclub has become a popular cooking brand on social media with five themed channels including Original, Kids, Light & Fun, Daily and Cocktails. The company has licensing agents in the UK, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, China, and Benelux; a D2C and D2R consumer product business; a publishing division with 700,000 books sold to date; and two Licensing International Awards for Best Digital Brand in France (2019) and Germany (2021).
The all-new animated show follows the intrepid kitchen enthusiasts Maurice, Lola, Carlton, Colette, Elvis, and the Kikitos as they set out to discover the world. Their roadmap? A passion for cooking and a curiosity as big as their appetite! Together they discover the world through their eyes and their tastebuds. In their quest for new ingredients, flavors, and traditional recipes, the Chefclub friends team up with cooks – and new friends – across the globe.
“The Chefclub Kids’ channel was created to inspire children to cook, become independent and enjoy themselves with their family in the kitchen,” commented Chefclub SVP Global Consumer Products & Business Development Marie-Laure Marchand. “Now, with Chefclub Friends, our young viewers can take their culinary adventures all over the world, following their favorite characters to discover new recipes and cultures. An animated series is a natural brand extension for us given the fantastic enthusiasm we see from little chefs every day, as they learn that cooking is one of the healthiest, most sociable and fun ways to play!”
The series is currently being developed by Chefclub’s Paris-based team in consultation with development executive Maia Tubiana (previously with Ellipseanime & Dargaud Media, Moonscoop and France Animation). Marchand, herself an industry veteran who has worked at Xilam, Studio 100 and Nelvana, will present the bible, synopses, and script at Kidscreen and MIPTV.
Source: Chefclub
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
