MUMBAI: An unlikely pairing of forensic science and gastronomy is set to tantalize Indonesian viewers as CreAsia Studio cooks up My Chef in Crime, an eight-part drama commissioned by local streaming platform Vision+.
The series—equal parts CSI and MasterChef—follows a disgraced forensic investigator turned chef who must clear his name after being fingered for his rival's murder. His unorthodox application of forensic techniques to food science catches the eye of a female detective who happens to be his old school crush, setting the stage for a sizzling mix of crime-solving and culinary chemistry.
CreAsia Studio, the brainchild of television veteran Deepak Dhar and television giant Banijay Entertainment, has assembled a pan-Asian creative team that boasts Thai producer Pornmanus Rattanavich and scriptwriter Nitikarn Pinmuangngarm, with Indonesian director Sondang Pratama stirring the pot.
"This show is a testament to our commitment to championing innovative narratives from South East Asia," gushes CreAsia Studio executive vice-president Jessica Kam clearly delighted with her menu of talent. “We couldn’t be more excited to collaborate with the talented Thai and Indonesian creators as well as Vision+ to bring this groundbreaking concept to life.”
The production appears designed to blend local flavours with global appeal—a recipe becoming increasingly fashionable in streaming circles.
Vision+ managing director Clarissa Tanoesoedibjo seems equally gung-ho about the offering: "My Chef in Crime is exactly the kind of high-quality, engaging content that excites us,. We believe this show will set new benchmarks in the crime genre, and we are delighted to be partnered with CreAsia Studio to make it a reality " she declares, perhaps hoping the show will help her platform gobble up market share in Indonesia's competitive streaming landscape.
Banijay Asia & Endemol Shine India founder & group CEO Deepak Dhar added: “At Banijay Entertainment, we are always looking to push creative boundaries and redefine storytelling. My Chef in Crime is a bold, original concept that reflects our commitment to delivering premium entertainment across the region. We are confident that this unique mix of crime, food, and romance will resonate with audiences and reinforce CreAsia Studios position as a powerhouse of compelling storytelling.”
Production is set to begin this summer, with the series expected to land on screens early next year. Whether audiences will develop an appetite for this unusual concoction remains to be seen, but CreAsia Studio is betting that viewers are hungry for something that breaks free from formulaic crime dramas.
For Banijay Entertainment, which has been steadily expanding its Asian footprint, the stakes are high. Dhar calls the concept "bold" and "original"—adjectives that rarely describe television these days. But in a region where food and entertainment are cultural obsessions, combining forensic investigation with culinary artistry might just prove a recipe for success.
