Posted 15 Feb. 2022 at 12:00Updated Feb 15. 2022 at 12:28
The favorite cooking show of the French is back, this Wednesday, on M6. Fifteen candidates will compete, in the kitchens of Top Chef, to join the brigade of their favorite chef.
Audience record, adaptation of the program abroad or even kilos of food used per event… A look back at M6’s flagship program, in five crazy figures.
13 seasons
Time passes, and the competition launched by M6 still fascinates the crowds. Top Chef returns this Wednesday for the thirteenth consecutive year. The secret of the program’s longevity is simple: around fifteen cooks compete, before a prestigious jury, to be crowned chef of the year.
This year, like the previous one, the chefs Philippe Etchebest, Paul Pairet, and Hélène Darroze, will try to accompany their restraint until victory. New this year, Glenn Viel, three-star chef at L’Oustau de Baumanière in Baux-de-Provence, will replace Michel Sarran.
· 4,6 millions
The success of the cooking show can be seen in the audiences. On average, 3.9 million viewers followed the recipes developed by the candidates during the previous season. To date, Top Chef has had its best ever season with women in charge of purchasing under the age of fifty.
On February 10, 2021, the day of the launch of season 12, the show enjoyed 4.6 million viewers. A record audience in nine years. The enthusiasm is also confirmed among the youngest. Top Chef has achieved the ten best audiences for M6 among 25-34 year olds this season. This stable audience makes it possible to sell screens between 40,000 and 55,000.00 euros gross, confirmed to “Echos” in 2019, Philippe Nouchi, director of media expertise at Publicis Media.
· 25 pays
The fervor for the program is also found abroad. The show has been adapted in 25 countries: Spain, Italy, Canada, Thailand and even Vietnam. Top Chef is also present in many Latin American countries, such as El Salvador, Mexico and Brazil.
But Top Chef France keeps its originality. The production company Studio 89, a subsidiary of M6 in charge of the group’s culinary programs, has completely transformed the show of its American version. From a 40-minute program, the show turned into a competition of more than two hours.
The French version is now a source of inspiration throughout the world. In 2021, the American candidates have thus, for the first time, rubbed themselves against the test of the box, a specificity of Top Chef France so far.
· 200 kg
The success of Top Chef is largely driven by the candidates. But their impressive pantry plays an equally important role. Between 150 and 200 kg of food are used during each event. In total, over the season, no less than 15 tons of food are offered to the candidate.
Unused products are donated to the Red Cross, specifies M6. “For example, in season 12, 5.5 tonnes of food were donated”, details the chain which established this partnership four years ago.
· 66.900 euros
Who says contest says price for the winner. The amount of the check for the winning candidate according to the points awarded during the final. To date, Camille Delacroix, winner of season 9 of Top Chef, is the one who won the largest sum: 66,900 euros. Last year, Mohamed Cheikh, pocketed 54,860 euros at the end of the final which pitted him against Sarah Mainguy.