Leveraging the popularity of Food Network Canada’s long-running hit series Chopped, Shaw Media announced today that it has joined forces with S. Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water to air a reality food competition mini-series during the program’s commercial breaks. The “show within a show’” will air over three episodes of Chopped, October 8, 15 and 22 at on Food Network Canada.
Dubbed S.Pellegrino 3 Days To Fame, the mini-series will follow the Canadian regional winner of the 11th annual S. Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef competition that took place in California’s Napa Valley this past March. Each episode will be split into four breaks, and will feature a familiar story-arc that will give viewers a behind the scenes look at the suspense, drama and the emotional highs and lows experienced by the young student chefs competing from around North America.
“San Pellegrino set the bar pretty high when they asked us to create a memorable lifestyle campaign,” said Errol Da-Ré, Senior Vice President, Sales for Shaw Media. “And I think our Marketing Ventures integrated sales team nailed it. San Pellegrino 3 Days To Fame feeds Canadians’ insatiable appetite for compelling and entertaining reality television. It is an excellent complement to each airing of Chopped.”
The unique mini-series beefs up its Canadian content with two world-famous chefs: Chef Mark McEwan, head judge on Food Network Canada’s Top Chef Canada – returning for its fourth season in spring 2024 – and Chef Susur Lee, a judge on the all new Chopped Canada, launching in winter 2024 on Food Network Canada. Both Chefs, along with Canadian journalist Jacob Richler and many others, acted as judges in the S. Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef competition.
In another novel twist, on-air promos will begin airing next week to encourage viewers to catch the commercial breaks. Plus, each commercial break during the first three October airings of Chopped will invite viewers to tune into the next segment. In total, the on air campaign will include 30 second and 15 second promo spots, a 10 second animated bug and seven second sponsor billboard. Viewers who miss an episode of S. Pellegrino 3 Days To Fame will be able to catch up online at FoodNetwork.ca.