Production Begins On Pressure Cooker, the New W Network Series from Bristow Global Media based on an original concept created by Jamie Oliver's Fresh One Productions

• Series to be produced by Bristow Global Media (BGM) in association with W Network
• World renowned food critic Giles Coren to judge as tasting expert with Canadian TV personality Anne-Marie Withenshaw as series host
• Guest chefs include Graham Elliot (Masterchef), Nadia G. (Bitchin' Kitchen) and DJ BBQ, with more announcements to come

TORONTO, Aug. 7, 2014 /CNW/ - Production begins Friday, August 15 on W Network's new series, Pressure Cooker, a primetime culinary competition show. The series, previously announced at Banff World Media Festival, based on an original concept created by Jamie Oliver's Fresh One Productons, is produced by Bristow Global Media (BGM), The 10, one-hour episode series illustrates the real-life pressures of cooking at home when time is tight and ingredients are scarce. An original Canadian format developed with an international team, Pressure Cooker is set to premiere in October on W Network.

Season one will feature renowned columnist and British restaurant critic, Giles Coren (The F-Word, Million Dollar Critic), as the tasting expert alongside host Anne-Marie Withenshaw; an award-winning entertainment and live event TV personality. Each episode will feature two guest chefs who will serve as coaches for the competitors, including Graham Elliot (Masterchef judge), Nadia Giosia (Nadia G's Bitchin' Kitchen) and DJ BBQ, to name a few. 

On Pressure Cooker, home cooks are faced with the eternal dilemma – what do you cook when you have only a few random ingredients in the kitchen and not a lot of time to prepare them? In each episode, guest celebrity chefs are paired with skilled home cooks in a culinary contest combining great cooking and mischievous game show mechanics with a twist – home cooks must select their ingredients from a specially designed conveyor belt that kicks in at timed intervals. Any ingredients taken must be used in the home cooks' final plate: but if they get stumped, they have a chance to use a "Recipe Rescue".

Judging the food is the tasting expert Giles Coren who crowns a winner at the end of each episode. The series will feature integration partners, whose products will be a key part of the action on Pressure Cooker.

With lead broadcast and grocery sponsor Walmart Canada, the series will present food staples and offer fresh and accessible meal ideas available for Canadians to use in their own kitchens. ESKA Water has also signed on as the official water supplier for the season.

Pressure Cooker is produced by Bristow Global Media (BGM), in association with W Network.

About W Network
Watched by over 10 million viewers in an average month, W Network delivers compelling entertainment for women, ranging from blockbuster movies to popular dramas and reality series. For more information, visit www.wnetwork.com.

About Corus Entertainment Inc.
Corus Entertainment Inc. is a Canadian-based media and entertainment company that creates, broadcasts and licenses content across a variety of platforms for audiences around the world. The Company's portfolio of multimedia offerings encompasses specialty television and radio with additional assets in pay television, television broadcasting, children's book publishing, children's animation and animation software. Corus' brands include YTV, TELETOON, ABC Spark, W Network, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network (Canada), HBO Canada, Historia and Séries+, as well as Nelvana, Kids Can Press, Toon Boom and 39 radio stations including CKNW AM 980, 99.3 The FOX, Country 105, 630 CHED, Fresh FM London, Q107 and 102.1 the Edge. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (CJR.B). Experience Corus on the web at www.corusent.com.

About Bristow Global Media Inc. (BGM)
Bristow Global Media Inc. (BGM) is a Toronto based content creation company, specializing in creating multiplatform content across all genres including scripted, lifestyle, reality, documentary and sports. The company was launched in 2013 by leading broadcast executive and producer Julie Bristow, who's 20 year career at the CBC included the creation of award winning entertainment divisions, the launch of national digital media platforms and the stewardship of iconic sports brands. BGM is partnered with media companies GroupM Entertainment and Jamie Oliver's Fresh One Productions in the UK for content development. BGM holds Canadian format rights to factual series Hidden Talent owned by American Express and Silver River Productions and Miss Country Girl from Media Factory as well as North American rights to Letters To The President from Daniel Bertin and Small World IFT.   In addition, BGM has recently acquired Canadian format rights for factual series' Mob Wives from Electus International and You, Me and My Ex created by Buzz Productions and distributed by Armoza Formats.

About Fresh One
Jamie set up Fresh One in 2000 determined to make popular television of the highest quality that was honest, intelligent and wherever possible, fun. Since then we have continued to build on our creative strengths to establish an international brand delivering amazing, award winning content. Food and campaign programming is still at the heart of our output, but we now also have a portfolio of documentary, popular factual and entertainment programmes which are sold in 204 territories across all platforms. We pride ourselves on being cutting edge and in 20011 launched Fresh Digital. This new media arm integrates award-winning multiplatform expertise with the Fresh One development team to create innovative new formats and produces standalone digital products. Jamie's massively popular YouTube channel -'Food Tube' is spearheading this drive to achieve a global digital reach and has recently relaunched as a multichannel network.

Fresh One is part of a unique group - the JO Group.  We are a media company at the heart of a dynamic, unique global brand with a set of skills nobody else has. We work on all platforms, and that includes live events and in the high street. Fresh is a talent led business and we work with the very best talent – in front of and behind the camera – and are determined to continue to offer some the world's greatest storytellers the opportunity to communicate in original and impactful ways. 

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SOURCE: W Network

Danielle Sefton, Corus Entertainment, 416.479.6094, [email protected]; Cristina Mancini, Corus Entertainment, 416.479.6334, [email protected]; Brittany Tan, Deb McCain Communications, 647.349.2899, [email protected]