Emma Willis and Fred Sirieix look for more cooking superstars

Get ready to experience culinary brilliance, fierce competition, and the pursuit of gastronomic glory as television’s most enticing global cooking contest, The World Cook…

The series makes its return Saturday 16th March hosted by Emma Willis and Fred Sirieix and streaming exclusively on Prime Video with support from Amazon Ads.

Emma Willis:

“I’m so so happy to be back hosting The World Cook Season Two. This season promises to be a seriously fierce competition, with global cuisines, and heart-stopping moments. It’s a delicious gastronomic journey that will leave viewers hungry for more!”

Produced by Electric Robin (a Banijay UK company), and brought to you by travel company TUI, season two introduces 16 new contenders from around the world, including professional chefs and passionate amateur cooks. In an intense, no-holds-barred knockout contest, they engage in head-to-head culinary battles, all vying for the prestigious title of The World Cook and the chance to secure an extraordinary prize.

This run of episodes, alongside Emma and Fred, the show welcomes a formidable judging duo: the visionary twice Michelin-starred chef, Atul Kochhar, and the beloved The Great British Bake-Off runner-up, Crystelle Pereira, now a successful cook, best-selling author and presenter. Harnessing their extensive foodie wisdom, they bring their culinary expertise to the forefront, providing invaluable guidance and evaluation to contestants at every stage of the competition.

Fred Sirieix:

“Get ready for pulse-pounding showdowns, extraordinary culinary talents, and a sensory feast like never before. Season Two of The World Cook is turning up the heat in the culinary world. The standard of cooking has truly blown me away – this is the cream of the crop. It’s the Olympics of cooking competitions, and in the end, only one can emerge victorious.”

The initial phase of the contest unfolds across two captivating episodes, with the 16 contestants split into two groups. In the opening episode, eight contestants take the spotlight, while the remaining eight command the stage in episode two. Their culinary journey commences at The World Cook HQ in the UK, where each contestant meticulously crafts a signature dish, utilising their favourite ingredients to artfully represent their home nation.

On the menu is a delectable variety of international recipes, including Pounded Yam & Egusi Stew from Nigeria, Swahili-inspired Chicken Cooked Two Ways from Kenya, Arbroath Smokie Fish Cake from Scotland, traditional stuffed Crepes from Hungary, Salmon “Tiradito” from Peru, and the exquisite Sheng Jian Bao – pan-fried soupy pork buns – from China, among other culinary delights. From this array of exceptional creations, only the top four contestants from each episode emerge triumphant, progressing forward to the next stage of the competition.

In the latter stages of episode one, the spotlight shifts to the the Dalaman region of Turkey. Contestants engage in a masterclass under the guidance of Tuncay Gülcü at Chayote restaurant, crafting dishes featuring hibes and goat chops. Meanwhile, in episode two, the four successful chefs who made it past the first hurdle in the UK, head to Iceland. There, they collaborate with Chef Gunnar Gislason at Dill, crafting culinary delights such as Rutabaga Rose and Monkfish. The outcome of the opening two episodes is the emergence of four semi-finalists, setting the stage for a thrilling culinary showdown.

Episode three unfolds on the Kalamota Island Resort near Dubrovnik, Croatia. Semi-finalists immerse themselves in a dessert class led by Lucija Tomašić, mastering the art of crafting three Croatian desserts. A Peka class at Konoba Dubrava with Brigita Polanda adds authenticity to their culinary repertoire. Talent visits to Dubrovnik’s Barba and M’arden Wine Bar offer additional insights. The ultimate challenge unfolds at Villa Rose restaurant, where semi-finalists craft banquets using the dishes learned, resulting in the ascension of one finalist.

The culinary sojourn continues to Crete for Episode four. Here, semi-finalists indulge in a dessert class at Pekesi with Iosifina and an Antikristo class at PESKESI Farm with Panagiotis, mastering Zoulamas and authentic Cretan cooked meat. Talent visits to the Skoutari Olive Grove enrich their experience. The restaurant gardens at the hotel transform into the arena for the final cook-off, yielding one more finalist.

This sets the stage for an extraordinary final episode, where our two finalists unite for the first time to embark on a culinary battle in Thailand at the Robinson Khao Lak near Phuket. Their ultimate challenge awaits as they compete for supremacy in their last task – crafting a four-course tasting menu, with each course drawing inspiration from a dish they have masterfully created during the competition.

The ultimate prize beckons, promising to provide one of them with a significant boost in the culinary world. They will be honoured with the naming of the restaurant at TUI BLUE Sarigerme Park Hotel after them. Additionally, they will collaborate with TUI to curate a tasting menu for the restaurant, ensuring that at least one dish is personally created and credited to them on the menu.

Ahead of the launch of the second season, audiences can revisit the excitement of the first outing of The World Cook on Prime Video.