Courtesy of Keshet 12
Keshet 12, Israel’s most-watched TV channel, has re-commissioned The Perfect Dessert for a second season following its debut earlier this summer.
Originally developed and produced with Keshet Broadcasting by July August Productions, The Perfect Dessert (10×60’) premiered on 16 June 2021 and is officially Keshet 12’s highest-rated baking competition show to date, with an average rating of 17.7% and 28.1% share across its premiere season. The Perfect Dessert increased the slot average by 11% (vs previous three months), winning the night on all of its 10 outings against heavy competition (UEFA Euro 2020, Celebrity Power Couple and Game of Chefs) and beating Bake Off S2’s season average of 14.8% ratings by +20%.
In The Perfect Dessert, looks are everything. Here judges vote with their eyes first – so only dishes with the combined ‘wow factor’ of looks and taste make it through to the next round, and ultimately, the finale. Each stage of this unique knockout competition format sees the non-professional contestants place their creations into a bespoke glass box to face a nail-biting double test. First test: aesthetics, judged behind closed doors. Second test: flavor, with sampling conducted in the company of the judges. Who will create the perfect dessert?
Ilanit St Hirsch, Keshet 12’s Head of Programs and Acquisitions, says, “At the beginning of COVID-19, we got the inspiration for creating the format when we’ve learned that the best-selling household electrical appliance in the US was a bread maker. That data was the first seed. Then, we’ve watched the social media feeds getting packed by spectacular homemade baking images and videos, and that drove us to develop the format with July August Productions. Our ambition was to tap into that trend. Nothing prepared us for how well it engaged and entertained Israeli audiences here on Keshet 12, so re-ordering it for another season really is a no-brainer.”
Sivan Morag, July August Productions’ executive producer on The Perfect Dessert, adds, “Because it incorporates lots of other skills like design, creativity, physics, chemistry and even architecture, I think of The Perfect Dessert as more of an art show than a baking show! Contestants just have one dish, one attempt to amaze the judges and progress. The term “perfect” is so open to interpretation and it sets such a high standard, that it creates a mechanism where these home-bakers are almost competing with themselves, rather than against each other. This is what I think makes The Perfect Dessert feel so very fresh, innovative and unique right now.”
The second season of The Perfect Dessert will again be produced by July August Productions, with Sivan Morag acting as executive producer alongside Keshet 12’s Ilanit St Hirsch. Keshet International (KI) is distributing the format internationally, launching it officially to market at MIPCOM 2021.
Keren Shahar, KI’s COO and President of Distribution says, “We are excited to be taking out this genuinely innovative, authentic and aspirational format to global buyers this MIPCOM. The Perfect Dessert’s success on Keshet 12 proves it is fresh and on-trend, while also able to cut through and stand out in a busy and established sector. This unique format gives contestants the freedom to really experiment and express themselves in a way that means their creations not only surprise and excite the very experienced judges in the studio, but also viewers at home. That makes this show a very powerful and compelling proposition for buyers in my opinion.”
Other successful non-scripted formats developed and produced in Israel for Keshet 12 that have been distributed by KI internationally include:
Rising Star – now it is eighth season and still Israel’s highest-rating talent competition – was the fastest-selling talent show on record when launched at MIPCOM 2013 and to date, has been adapted locally in 17 territories (with more sales to be announced very soon); the explosive gameshow BOOM – ranked 4th in K7’s 2019 Most Travelled New Formats poll and currently on-air in Spain (Antena), Greece (Skai), Vietnam (VTV3) and Iran (IRIB TV3) – has now been sold and produced in 21 territories, with over 2,500 episodes produced worldwide to date; and the hilarious hidden camera gameshow Deal With It! – which returned to Keshet 12 for a third season last year – has now been sold into 22 territories, including most recently Italy’s Nove, Mexico’s Televisa, and Slovenia’s Planet TV.
