Dave’s award-winning series Big Zuu’s Big Eats has been recommissioned for a third series. The BAFTA-nominated series will see TV chef and grime artist Big Zuu and school friends Tubsey and Hyder return to fire up their trusty food truck and cook for some of entertainment’s biggest names, only this time the guests come to Zuu’s kitchen. The series is produced by Boom, part of ITV Studios, in association with Big Zuu’s brand new production company Big Productions Ltd.
Big Zuu said, “I'm so excited that Big Eats is coming back for another series. Me, Tubsey and Hyder have had an amazing time filming the first two series and seeing the reaction from the fans has been incredible. The BAFTA and other award nominations earlier in the year have inspired us to go even bigger this time round.
Series 3 is being co-produced by Boom and my own production company, Big Productions Ltd. This is my company's first production and I feel like this is the next step in my TV career. I can't wait to start filming!”
Big Zuu’s Big Eats first series recently won Broadcast Digital Award’s Gamechanger Programme of the Year and has enjoyed standout success with nominations from BAFTA, Broadcast Awards, RTS Awards, including Breakthrough talent for Big Zuu, and Broadcasting Press Guild.
Having taken the comedy world by storm, in Series 2 Zuu was inundated with requests for his mouth-watering food. From musicians, to actors, presenters to sportspeople, Zuu travelled far and wide in his trusty food van to feed legends that included Maya Jama, Harry Redknapp, Mo Gilligan, Rob Delaney and Judi Love. Jacob Anderson was moved to tears when Zuu transported him back to his childhood with a Lemon Meringue Pie and Harry Redknapp was surprised with some East End fusion, creating a Bangers n’ Mash Pie, before providing Harry with his first experience of West African cuisine and a taste of Zuu’s Sierra Leonean roots with Granat Soup and a Plantain side. Mo Gilligan was given the star treatment with a no expense spared Trap Box - a medley of Mo’s favourite soul food that included BBQ Beef Ribs and Lobster Tail Mac n’ Cheese, while Rose Matafeo was given a taste of home with a New Zealand inspired Fruit Loop Lamington Surprise.
In series three Big Zuu, Tubsey and Hyder are back on tour in a brand new, pimped up food truck. They will up their food game once more, taking over unique, hand-picked venues to treat a host of celebrity guests to a themed dining experience like no other.
Big Zuu’s Big Eats S2 launched to a 7-day audience of 215k, up +9% vs slot average. S2’s launch was +34% up on S1’s launch in 2020 and a promising +63% up on the 7-day audience average for S1.
Big Zuu’s Big Eats series three is commissioned by Emile Nawagamuwa, UKTV commissioning executive, and ordered for Dave by Cherie Cunningham, Dave channel director and Hilary Rosen, deputy director of commissioning and head of factual. Richard Watsham is UKTV’s director of commissioning and Steve North is genre manager, comedy and entertainment. Executive producer for Boom is Sam Grace, with Alex Gilman as series producer.
Emile Nawagamuwa said, “Big Zuu’s Big Eats goes from strength to strength and I’m delighted to be working with Zuu, Tubsey and Hyder to bring their spontaneous, infectious vibe back to our screens for a third time. This series will up the ante, building on its game changing reputation and expanding Zuu’s world. It’s vital that Dave continues to back and invest in authentic, homegrown talent and Zuu and the boys lead that charge.”
Cherie Cunningham added, “We’re so proud to have this award-winning, gem of a series back in 2022 on Dave. It’s genuinely bigger, bolder and even tastier than before and Big Zuu, Tubsey and Hyder are a big hit among our younger audience so we’re very excited to have them back for more Big Eats.”
Sam Grace, Creative Director for Boom, said, “Everyone at Boom is delighted that Big Zuu’s Big Eats is returning and that we will once again get to work with Big Zuu, Tubsey and Hyder. It’s been a thrilling ride, watching Zuu transform from a self-trained chef into one of the hottest names in TV and the multiple award nominations and recognition are testament to his natural talent and energy. From our base in Wales we’re excited to be working closely with the team at Dave/ UKTV and creating more mouth-watering TV with Big Zuu.”
Big Zuu’s Big Eats series three will air on Dave in 2022. The first two series and Christmas specials can be enjoyed on UKTV Play. The accompanying book to enjoy Zuu’s recipes at home is available to buy now.
