ITV1 and ITVX commission Big Zuu’s 12 Dishes in 12 Hours 

ITV1 and ITVX commission Big Zuu’s 12 Dishes in 12 Hours 

ITV today announces a brand new entertainment commission hosted by double BAFTA award winning broadcaster, artist and TV chef Big Zuu. 

Big Zuu’s 12 Dishes in 12 Hours will air on ITV1 and ITVX in 2024 and is co-produced by Twofour and Zuu’s new TV production label Big Productions.

Famed for his comedic flair, culinary prowess and musical ability, in this new six part series the multi-hyphenate Big Zuu will take both viewers and an all-star array of celebrity guests on a quest across Europe to get a true flavour of each city through sampling the delights of its local delicacies. 

In this funny, fresh and fast paced new format, Big Zuu will teach his famous travel companions everything they need to know about a place through tasting 12 dishes. 

Whether it’s trying local street food or uncovering new gastronomic trends, through his culinary lens Zuu will guide both viewers and his celebrity guests across a number of cities as they seek out the destinations hidden gems, food markets, local eateries and fine dining restaurants showcasing a never before seen side to some of Europe’s most vibrant destinations.

Speaking of his new ITV series, Big Zuu said:

“It’s always been a dream of mine to have my own food travelogue so I’m gassed to finally be able to announce this new show! I feel like travelling the world and eating food was the natural next step for me and the audience who have followed me since the beginning of my TV career. I’m also excited that this series  is a co-pro with my own production label Big Productions and TwoFour. I’m so grateful to itv and Natalie Rose for making this happen!”

Big Zuu’s 12 Dishes in 12 Hours will serve up dishes that encapsulate the story of each city, whether that’s through its rich cultural history or its future facing food scene. Immersing themselves in each location's culture, both Zuu and his celebrity guest will go off the beaten track befriending locals in a bid to authentically eat their cuisine.

Action packed from beginning to end, whilst on their whistle stop food tour, Zuu and his guests will have a limited time to treat their taste buds requiring them to travel across each location via foot, boat, tuk tuk and scooter as they seek out to sample 12 incredible dishes that best represent each cities culture.

Big Zuu’s 12 Dishes in 12 Hours is a co-production between Twofour (part of ITV Studios) and Big Productions and will air on ITV1 and ITVX. The show was commissioned by Katie Rawcliffe, Head of Entertainment Commissioning at ITV and Natalie Rose, Entertainment Commissioner at ITV and is executive produced by Dan Adamson (for Twofour) and Alex Gilman (for Big Productions), the Production Executive is Lucy Blatch (for Twofour).

Entertainment Commissioner at ITV Natalie Rose said:

“It’s great to be working with Zuu, Twofour and Big Productions again, and an exciting time to bring Zuu's infectious warmth and humour to ITV. From fine dining to mouth-watering street food, 12 Dishes combines Zuu’s love for food and travel, taking his culinary passion further than ever before- and for the first time, beyond UK shores. This really is a delightfully original and fresh format that will inform on the best places to eat abroad. Of course entertainment, warmth and humour will be XXL.”

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About Twofour

Twofour is a leading UK-based television production company with a rich history and a bright future, with a reputation for making impossible ideas a reality. Emmy and BAFTA award-winning and twice voted UK’s Production Company of the Year, Twofour is the home to great talent on and off screen. Twofour's portfolio includes Apple TV+ series The Reluctant Traveller with Eugene Levy, the launch reality show for ITVX, Loaded in Paradise, Channel 5's longest running series, The Hotel Inspector, groundbreaking single documentaries such as Julia Bradbury: Breast Cancer and Me for ITV and Roman Kemp: Our Silent Emergency for BBC and the UK's first gay dating show I Kissed A Boy for BBC Three.

About Big Productions:

Big Productions is an award winning independent production company that specialises in the development and production of original, creative non-scripted content in factual, comedy and music, led by Big Zuu, MD Matt Dodds and Creative Director Alex Gilman. In partnership with Boom and Dave, Big Productions co-produced series three of BAFTA-winning Big Zuu’s Big Eats and are currently producing the fourth series.