Seven Stones Media wins BBC daytime commission

Seven Stones Media, fresh from winning its recent 20-part commission from BBC Two, has won a further commission for another 10-part daytime series from the channel.
‘The Urban Chef’ (10 x 30mins) follows a new face to television - talented chef Ollie Rowe, who trained under Sam Clarke at Moro - as he follows his daunting ambition to open a restaurant in London that only uses fresh produce grown or reared in the heart of the city itself. Ollie is passionate about locally-sourced ingredients so he also wants to make sure that virtually everything he uses in his cooking comes directly from local growers. But is that really achievable in London?
Making his dream into a reality, not only has Ollie to convert a derelict property to make into his visionary restaurant, but he has to hunt down suppliers from allotment holders to private gardeners and farmers to ensure that he has all the locally-grown ingredients he needs in plentiful supply. But there’s a long way to go before then where can he get locally-produced fish in central London?
Jeremy Gibson, Creative Director, Seven Stones Media, said: “The Urban Chef will bring a new talent to television with a fresh idea, which is exactly what Seven Stones Media is all about.”
Jay Hunt, Controller of Daytime, BBC, who commissioned the series, said: “The Urban Chef is an exciting departure for Daytime. Ollie has set himself a real challenge by putting his money and his reputation on the line. Discovering whether he really can source everything he needs from producers within the capital city will be an intriguing watch for the early evening audience on BBC Two.”
Seven Stones Media announced their formation November 17 2005, along with their first commission, ‘Return To Tuscany’, a 20-part series following London restaurateurs Giancarlo Caledesi and Kate Beresford as they attempt to make a success of a Tuscan cookery school.
Peter Edwards, Managing Director, said: “We’re delighted to be building such a strong relationship with the BBC so quickly after the formation of the company.”
The Urban Chef will be directed by Jelena Ilic, Series Produced by Ed Taylor and Executive Producer Mike Cunliffe.
It is distributed internationally by BBC Worldwide and is due to air on BBC Two in Spring 2006.
(GB)