Next week, cameras will start rolling on the resort’s first studio show, Taste of Art, being shot entirely at Frankton’s Remarkables Studios, leased last year by local-based TV production company Screentime New Zealand.
The culinary reality competition, in development for a couple of years, will see 10 of the best chefs from across the country go up against each other, in an elimination-style format. They’re aiming to impress the judges — Amisfield head chef Vaughan Mabee and Australian food writer, critic and TV host, among other things, Melissa Leong.
Mabee is recognised as one of the top chefs in the world and Amisfield is in the top 100 restaurants globally, while Leong’s perhaps best known for her time as a judge on MasterChef Australia.
The series is the brainchild of Screentime CEO Philly de Lacey, who tells Mountain Scene Mabee, in particular, gets international recognition for his creativity and artistry with food.
"So we’re really leaning on that idea.
"Amisfield is a pretty phenomenal experience — you go in there and nothing is what you expect.
"That’s what we want to push these chefs to do; create the unexpected and take them out of their comfort zones."
Seven episodes, distributed by Banijay Rights, will screen on TVNZ next year.
As for what the winner gets?
"It’s the prestige," she says.
"It’s the chance to show off their skills to one of the best chefs in the world ... [and] be seen in other territories by other chefs, so it really is about the accolades."
The set, built by A Remarkable Place To Die production designer John Allan and his team is also "off the charts".
"I say this without diminishing anyone else’s work, but it’s one of my favourite sets for an entertainment series so far — he’s done a phenomenal job."
