The encounter between a young French-Senegalese female chef and a gangster clan concocts a singular recipe for this 6-episode thriller. The producers, Thomas Saignes(Cinétévé) and Matthias Weber (24 25 Films), along with the international distributor, Virginie Boireaux (Have A Good One (HAGO)) tell us about the series and its warm welcome at Coming Next from France during the Series Mania Forum, with several pre-sales in Spain, Poland, and Belgium already confirmed
Unifrance: Can you tell us about the genesis of the project?
Thomas Saignes: The project arose from a long friendship with the scriptwriters, a shared passion for cooking, organized crime, and television series with an original slant. It also tied in with the fortunate coincidence of a César award won ten years ago by the co-creator of the series, and with a natural and joyful synergy between two production companies that were very complementary and aligned in their requirements and their passion for this story.
Can you sum up the pitch for the series, in a few sentences?
Matthias Weber: A promising young chef launches her restaurant striving to being awarded Michelin stars. She finds herself confronted by two young gangsters who take over her restaurant and risk derailing her dream of attaining the sacred stars... But by accepting the gangster inside her will she overcomes this situation and turn this constraint into an opportunity for success?
What makes this series unique? What are its strengths that will appeal to an international audience?
TS & MW: A crossover between cuisine and gangsters, between the arena of high gastronomy and the "customs" of organized crime, which collide, but sometimes are not so far apart. This project seemed very original to us and we worked on its singularity during the development and production. The journey of a young Franco-Senegalese entrepreneur in the macho and conservative world of haute cuisine struck us as contemporary as it was original.
A Parisian series, "urban" and sophisticated, dark and fun, Elle's Kitchen has all the strengths to appeal to a large international audience.
What are your ambitions for the program internationally?
Virginie Boireaux: Obviously we aim for the series to travel, and to find an audience all over the world. The world of gastronomy, the fact that it is set in Paris, definitely makes it a French series, but it is also a thriller, with a young and very talented cast, which gives it an international scope. In my opinion, Elle's Kitchen is the perfect answer to the famous "local goes global," and its subject matter makes it a deeply fun series to pitch, and to take to the international stage.
You presented the series exclusively at the Coming Next from France pitching session, which took place during the Series Mania Forum. What are your impressions after this session? Do you already have contacts or leads for exporting the series?
VB: This selection at Coming Next has indeed allowed us to put a spotlight on the series, and the reactions have been very enthusiastic. The series has been pre-sold in Spain and Poland by NBC Universal channels, and in French-speaking Belgium for Free TV. This presentation, as well as the trailer that we presented exclusively, aroused real curiosity. So more than just leads, we are already in discussions for its export.
