Banijay to Present Italian Culinary Competition 'Cooking Grandmas' at Mipcom
Banijay Entertainment will unveil an Italian culinary competition called 'Cooking Grandmas' at the Mipcom content market in Cannes. The Sky Italia TV8 commission puts grandmothers in a primetime contest that blends their home recipes with tasks inspired by upscale dining, street food, and dishes from other countries. The participants also live together on a farm, allowing their relationships and backstories to unfold alongside the cooking.
Banijay Entertainment will introduce “Cooking Grandmas” at Mipcom in Cannes. The format comes from Banijay Italia and was commissioned by Sky Italia’s TV8. It is described as an original primetime cooking competition starring Alessandro Borghese.
The show places grandmothers in an uplifting contest built around recipes passed down in families and dishes tied to particular regions. They face challenges inspired by upscale restaurant cooking, street-food styles, and cuisines from other countries, while living together on a country farmhouse. There, bonds, conflicts, and life histories emerge alongside the cooking.
The format may appeal to older viewers and families, giving grandmothers visible roles beyond domestic settings. It could spark interest in regional food traditions and intergenerational storytelling, while also raising questions about how television packages age and cultural identity. Audiences in Italy and international buyers at Mipcom may see it as a warm, exportable example of local formats.