Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar recently confirmed that Gordon Ramsay’s cooking show “Next Level Chef” will be held in County Wicklow, Ireland this year! The show, already very popular in the English-speaking world, is a high-level cooking competition that attracts thousands of spectators behind their screens every year! And this year, the program will be shot at Ashford Studios in County Wicklow. A unique opportunity to raise Ireland’s international profile!
It’s not the first time that County Wicklow has been chosen by major American productions. Considered a kind of Irish Hollywood, the region attracts American and European film-makers every year, who come to take advantage of its grandiose landscapes and ultra-modern film studios.
The proof is in the Vikings series and Ridley Scott’s The Last Duel, all of which were based on the region’s setting!
So it’s almost logical that FOX Entertainment, which produces Next Level Chef, has chosen Wicklow County for its new season!
Chef Gordon Ramey himself was enthusiastic about the idea of filming in Ireland, saying he was particularly fond of County Wicklow:
Not only can I spend weeks filming in a county I love, but it also creates an attractive opportunity for our international partners around the world.
And it’s a real boon for the region! No fewer than twenty Irish companies will be involved in this project. It is estimated that around 100 jobs will be created for the occasion: perfect not only for boosting the local economy, but also for providing a TV stage to promote Ireland in the eyes of viewers!
At the recent launch event, Leo Varadkar described the announcement as a “momentous occasion for international television production in Ireland”.
He said:
Recent years have seen a growth in the sector, which is now accompanied by unprecedented investment from FOX Entertainment and over 300 jobs in the creative industry.
Our membership of the EU, our proximity to the UK, our strong cultural alignment with the US and our skilled workforce make Ireland a great place to invest.
FOX Entertainment CEO Rob Wade said the company was delighted to be expanding its operations in Ireland. He said the decision would strengthen local skills and talent, and strengthen the relationship between the USA and Ireland.
In case you’re not familiar with Gordon Ramsay’s cooking show, you should know that it was launched on January 2, 2022. Gordon Ramsay is the show’s host, sharing the screen with American chefs Nyesha Arrington and Richard Blais.
In the style of Top Chef, a handful of chefs compete for the title of best chef on the show. They are divided into three brigades, each led by Ramsay, Arrington and Blais.
In a series of challenges, chefs compete for a huge cash prize of $250,000.
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