Food Network celebrity chef is one of the first South African presenters to host a series on a US TV network
Scripps Networks International, a leading global developer and broadcaster of lifestyle programming, has today announced that the USA’s Cooking Channel will be airing Siba’s Table, a Scripps Networks International original commission.
The series, fronted by celebrity chef Siba Mtongana, was Scripps Networks International’s first talent commission outside of the United States and Siba will be one of the first South African celebrity chefs to host a series on a USA TV network.
Launching on April 5, the 10×30 minute programmes will air weekly at 10:30am on the Cooking Channel, which reaches an audience in the USA of more than 60 million homes.
Siba’s Table, commissioned by Scripps Network International in 2012, premiered in South Africa on Food Network DStv Channel 175 in September 2013. The 10×30 series then aired throughout Africa, Europe, Middle East and the United Kingdom on the Scripps Network International channel, Food Network.
Nick Thorogood, Senior Vice President of Content and Marketing, UK & EMEA, for Scripps Networks International says he first met up with Siba in South Africa a few years ago. “I was immediately bowled over when I met with Siba; from that first meeting, to launching the series on Food Network in South Africa, our excitement was infectious; I shared Siba’s Table with our colleagues stateside and are thrilled for Siba that Cooking Channel will be premiering the series in April for American audiences to enjoy.”
On making her US debut, celebrity chef Siba Mtongana said: “I am ecstatic about this wonderful news and really honoured to join the Cooking Channel in the US. This is great news for me, but more so for my beloved country, South Africa as it will once again place the ‘rainbow nation’ on the map.”
The backdrop to the series is Cape Town, where the series was filmed, and is home to South Africa’s most vibrant food scene. In Siba’s Table, Siba creates and serves an irresistible range of dishes for friends and family. Each episode recreates a chapter of her Cape Town life, as she draws on influences from both her childhood and her experience as a food editor. The series also feature vibrant local artisan producers and is showcasing the local, cutting edge restaurant scene.
Siba, a young and dynamic food enthusiast, brought style and charisma to the hugely popular cooking show called Cooking with Siba, on MNet’s Mzansi Magic. She holds a degree in Food and Consumer Sciences, majoring in Food and Food Science as well as Nutrition. She specialises in recipe development, food writing and styling and has won three prestigious Galliova Awards for her food journalism and involvement in the South African food arena.
Among other activities, Siba develops food supplements/booklets for clients, judges food-related events and gives food workshops and demonstrations, as well as food and nutrition talks at conferences throughout the country. She hosts TV and radio talks on food themed programmes and related topics and also inspires students studying food-related courses at universities and colleges, by showcasing food media as a career of choice.
