MUMBAI: Prime Television New Zealand has picked up the broadcasting rights for the US version of cooking competition show ?The Taste?. ?The Taste? has already been picked up by Fox for India, Australia?s Nine Network and M6 in France.

ABC has ordered nine episodes of "The Taste" in which famed foodies Nigella Lawson and Anthony Bourdain head a distinguished panel of four judges to pit America?s most skilled cooks against one another. ?The Taste? was created by Kinetic Content, RedArrow?s US production company led by Chris Coelen.

Prime Channel manager Kathy Wright said, "We are delighted to include ?The Taste? in Prime?s schedule for2013 as it brings enormous value to our lifestyle lineup.

"Food and lifestyle programming is a popular part of our prime-time viewing and Nigella Lawson has been a familiar face for our viewers for many years, so we are very much looking forward to introducing our audience to her latest venture with Anthony Bourdain in this fantastic new competition series".

Red Arrow International regional sales director Asia and Pacific Yan He said, "This exciting blend of competition and cooking really hits a nerve! Here at ATF, buyers love ?The Taste? and I?m thrilled that now the Kiwis get a chance to watch it on PRIME." The Taste For the first time ever, Anthony Bourdain and Nigella Lawson are teaming up to get down to what truly matters: the way the food tastes! Our culinary superstars are going back to basics: the taste! Both home cooks and restaurateurs are given the opportunity of a lifetime, as they sharpen their skills and train with the best culinary experts in the business. Our superstar mentors will each coach a team of cooks, who they handpick based on their dishes alone. In each episode there are two challenges; a team challenge and an individual challenge. At the end of each show the mentors must decide together who to eliminate."