Bell Media, Gusto Worldwide Media, and Ancestry.ca Team Up For New Gusto Series DNA DINNERS, Exploring Food and Family History
– DNA DINNERS explores participants’ heritage through food as brand-new culinary adventure series begins production this week –
– Hosted by ETALK Reporter Tyrone Edwards, the series enlists chefs to illustrate the culinary roots of each participants’ culture –
– Hosted by ETALK Reporter Tyrone Edwards, the series enlists chefs to illustrate the culinary roots of each participants’ culture –
TORONTO (September 5, 2018) – Bell Media announced today an innovative collaboration with Ancestry, the leader in family history and consumer genomics, and Gusto Worldwide Media to produce DNA DINNERS, a one-of-a-kind culinary adventure series. Hosted by ETALK Reporter Tyrone Edwards, each episode follows participants as they take an AncestryDNA test to discover their genetic origins. As the adventure continues, Chefs are brought in to explore the cuisine and cooking techniques of each participant’s background.
With the AncestryDNA test capable of tracing someone’s origins from more than 350 regions around the world, there’s no shortage of discoveries participants can make, and the culinary cultures that are explored. Based on an innovative format created by Chris Knight and produced by Ottawa-based Gusto Worldwide Media, the 16-episode, half-hour series is currently in production in Toronto and Ottawa.
“As Gusto’s content portfolio expands, we continue to build on the strength of its unique original programs,” said Pat DiVittorio, Vice-President, CTV and Specialty Programming, Bell Media. “Coupling food and the popularity of Ancestry’s family history adventures is cleary a recipe for success.”
“This series-wide integration with Ancestry is a perfect example of the creativity with which Bell Media incorporates brands into our programming,” said Alyson Walker, Vice-President, Brand Partnerships, Bell Media. “We’re looking forward to working with Ancestry, and our partners at Gusto Worldwide Media, to create a series that showcases the power of the AncestryDNA service while also inspiring viewers to celebrate their own culinary heritage.”
Brad Argent, International Programming Director at Ancestry adds: “We’re incredibly excited to be working with Bell and Gusto on a world-first format that creatively demonstrates the powerful discoveries and emotional connections that AncestryDNA offers. Food, family and heritage are intrinsically linked – from the recipes passed down the generations to family meals where we share stories and bond with others – so it’s a perfect fit for our brand.”
Chris Knight is President and CEO, Gusto Worldwide Media. Robin Johnston is Director, Original Programming, Bell Media. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Original Programming, Bell Media. Pat DiVittorio is Vice-President, Programming, Bell Media. Mike Cosentino is President, Content and Programming, Bell Media. Randy Lennox is President, Bell Media.
About Ancestry.ca:
Ancestry, the global leader in family history and consumer genomics, harnesses the information found in family trees, historical records, and DNA to help people gain a new level of understanding about their lives. Ancestry has 3 million paying subscribers across its core Ancestry websites and almost 10 million people in its consumer DNA network, making it the largest in the world. Since 1996, more than 20 billion records have been added to Ancestry’s databases, and users have created more than 100 million family trees on the Ancestry flagship site and its affiliated international websites. Ancestry offers a suite of family history products and services including AncestryDNA, Archives, AncestryProGenealogists, Newspapers.com and Fold3. AncestryDNA is owned and operated by Ancestry.com DNA, LLC, a subsidiary of Ancestry.com, LLC.
About Gusto Worldwide Media:
Gusto Worldwide Media is the world’s leading producer of native 4K food and cooking programming, available for television and digital platforms. Our original content celebrates food in the most gorgeous way possible, taking viewers on culinary journeys while showcasing unique, talented chefs and home cooks from a range of backgrounds. Some of our popular titles include One World Kitchen, Fish the Dish, A is for Apple, The Urban Vegetarian, The Latin Kitchen, Spencer’s BIG 30, Watts on the Grill, and Bonacini’s Italy. Gusto Worldwide Media stands out with visually stunning and engaging shows that inspire food lovers around the globe. In 2013, we launched the linear pay-tv channel, Gusto TV, in Canada. In August 2018, Gusto Worldwide Media launched the channel in Singapore with more rollouts to come.
About Gusto:
Gusto, Bell Media’s first food and lifestyle channel, features a delicious mix of creative cooking and food programming paired with exciting home renovation, travel, and lifestyle shows. Gusto features a menu of original Canadian series and specials produced in 4K including SPENCER’S BIG 30, WATTS ON THE GRILL, FLOUR POWER, and FRESH MARKET DINNERS as well as acquired series from stars such as Nigella Lawson, Jamie Oliver and Martha Stewart. Gusto is distributed to more than five million households across Canada and is also available online at www.gustotv.com and on-demand via participating television service providers. Gusto is a division of Bell Media, which is part of BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company.
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