Leading kids’ entertainment specialist CAKE has picked up the international rights to Cooking Buddies, Buddy Oliver’s first TV series.

Presented by 13-year-old Buddy, son of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, Cooking Buddies will premiere in the UK on CBBC later this year. The 10 x 20 minute series has been commissioned by Sarah Muller, Senior Head of Children’s Commissioning 7+. The Executive Producer for the Jamie Oliver Group is Samantha Beddoes. CAKE will handle distribution rights worldwide excluding the UK.

In this fun cooking show with a twist, kids join Buddy as he teaches them how to cook a simple meal for someone or an important occasion in their lives and in a brilliant skill-swap, Buddy’s guests teach him a skill they are passionate about, from basketball to street art, football, karate, ice skating, boxing, BMX’ing, hip hop, salsa and more! With nutritious and delicious food, helpful tips and surprise guest appearances by Jamie Oliver and the rest of the family, Cooking Buddies promotes healthy and balanced eating and aims to inspire kids to start cooking with tasty recipes including homemade pasta, pesto chicken, pancakes, egg tortillas and a special Christmas dessert.

Cooking Buddies follows Buddy Oliver’s success on YouTube with his Cooking Buddies channel, which has amassed over 7 million views.

Ed Galton, CEO, CAKE says, “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Buddy and the Jamie Oliver Group. We know how important cooking is in the mainstream and to kids and families around the world and having Buddy introduce cooking to a global audience is a great way to get children interested in healthy food and encourage them to learn different skills in a unique and entertaining way.”

Zoë Collins, Managing Director, Jamie Oliver Group says, “I’m incredibly excited to bring Cooking Buddies to CBBC and international screens. Buddy has been sharing his passion for cooking for years, through his digital videos and also when he comes in to cook at the Jamie Oliver HQ. It’s this passion for and knowledge about food that we really wanted to capture in this series. And, of course, there will be some surprise appearances from the rest of the Oliver family! The show will be packed full of delicious, nutritious and easy recipes that children will be able to cook at home, now and for life, supporting our mission to ensure that every child learns the basics of cooking.”

Sarah Muller, Senior Head of Children’s Commissioning (7-12), BBC Children’s and Education, “We’re leading the charge in children’s TV, commissioning brilliant shows like Cooking Buddies to bring young people and their families entertainment and education in all sorts of flavours! Cooking Buddies is all about exploring new hobbies with friends and embarking on a culinary adventure. It encourages young viewers to try new things and shows you can have a great time with each other whilst doing it!”