Netflix and grill, probably from inside a moving vehicle, as Overcooked becomes a competition series
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“Grill”, is set to redefine competitive cooking by taking the pressure off the kitchen and onto the road. The show, announced at a press event on 12 June 2024, will pit chefs from across the globe against each other in a series of fast‑paced, mobile cook‑off challenges. According to the official announcement on Netflix’s media page, contestants will battle it out inside a specially‑modified delivery truck that travels through a series of dynamic cityscapes. The vehicle’s shifting interior—complete with moving conveyors, oscillating burners, and unpredictable terrain—creates a chaotic cooking environment reminiscent of the hit video game Overcooked.
A Game‑Inspired Format
The creators of “Grill” took a page from Overcooked’s playbook, turning the game’s core mechanic of “cooking in a moving environment” into a televised reality competition. In the game, players must coordinate orders, share ingredients, and adapt to constantly changing kitchen layouts. The show expands on this premise by requiring chefs to manage a full‑service menu while contending with a vehicle’s vibrations, wind, and limited workspace. Judges will evaluate each dish on taste, presentation, and the contestants’ ability to navigate the vehicle’s unpredictable movements—thereby measuring both culinary skill and quick‑adaptation.
Producer Alex Kim explains, “The idea was to capture the frantic energy of Overcooked and translate it into a live, competitive format. By putting chefs in a moving vehicle, we’re adding an extra layer of suspense that forces them to think on their feet.” Kim, who previously worked on the production of the acclaimed Netflix cooking series Chef’s Table: Pastry, stated that the show will feature a mix of seasoned professionals and up‑and‑coming talent.
The Moving Kitchen
Filming took place in a custom‑built food truck with a modular kitchen area that can be reconfigured between episodes. The vehicle—dubbed “The Road‑Cooker”—has a 20‑foot length, a 12‑foot width, and a reinforced chassis that can handle speeds up to 60 mph. Inside, the crew installed a set of six burners that can be electronically turned off or on by the chefs, a refrigerated section, and a dedicated station for plating. The truck is also equipped with a high‑definition camera rig that records both the chefs’ actions and the exterior environment, giving audiences a dual perspective of the cooking process and the road conditions.
The show’s format will involve 12 contestants, each competing in a series of 10 episodes. Every episode will center around a specific cuisine—Italian, Mexican, Asian, and more—and chefs will have 30 minutes to prepare a three‑course meal while traveling through different terrains, such as coastal highways, desert roads, and winding mountain passes. After each episode, the panel of judges will eliminate two chefs, narrowing the field until a single winner is crowned in the finale.
Judges and Guest Appearances
“Grill” will feature a rotating panel of celebrity chefs and food industry experts. Head judge Gordon Ramsay has confirmed his participation, praising the show’s “innovative approach to culinary competition.” Other recurring judges include Rachael Ray, who will focus on “home‑style” dishes, and Chef Masaharu Morimoto, who will bring his Asian fusion expertise. In addition to the regular judges, each episode will host a special guest chef who will mentor the contestants during the challenge. Past guest appearances have included Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson, and Heston Blumenthal, each bringing their signature style to the moving kitchen.
Development and Collaboration
The concept for “Grill” was initially pitched by Netflix’s Food & Drink division in partnership with the team behind Overcooked. According to a statement from Steam’s official Overcooked page, the collaboration was driven by a shared goal of blending interactive gaming with real‑world entertainment. The show’s development team spent months designing the truck’s interior to replicate the game’s hectic pace while ensuring safety standards were met for the contestants and crew.
In addition to the television series, Netflix announced a companion mobile app that allows fans to experience a simplified version of Overcooked on their phones, featuring recipes from the show’s episodes. The app, which launches alongside the series, will include cooking tutorials, a “road‑kitchen” mode that simulates the moving environment, and a leaderboard for users to compare their performance against the show’s contestants.
Anticipated Premiere
Netflix confirmed that “Grill” will premiere on 15 September 2024, with a new episode released each Friday. The company is positioning the show as its next big reality competition, following the success of The Great British Bake Off and Top Chef. Marketing materials emphasize the show’s “high‑speed, high‑stakes” format, and the network’s social‑media teams have already begun teasing behind‑the‑scenes footage of chefs tackling dishes in a moving kitchen.
For viewers who love the thrill of Overcooked and the drama of culinary competition, “Grill” promises a fresh and exhilarating experience that brings the game’s chaos into a new arena—literally on the road. The show will test chefs’ culinary prowess, teamwork, and ability to remain calm amid the unpredictable rhythm of the road, all while entertaining audiences with a blend of food, fun, and adventure.
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