Bon Appétit controversy heads to the small screen

We have previously reported on the Bon Appetit controversies that involved allegations of inequitable treatment of BIPOC staff members in the BA Test Kitchen, and charges of cultural appropriation. As Grub Street reports, the drama surrounding the real-life story is now headed to HBO Max, which is planning a half-hour scripted comedy featuring elements of these controversies.

Bon Appetit Test Kitchen (YouTube)

Producers say the show will be a satirical take on the “toxic culture of the food media industry,” and will “draw inspiration from the multiple media scandals of summer 2020 and today.” At least one former BA employee, Ryan Walker-Hartshorn, (who worked for a time as assistant to former editor-in-chief Adam Rapoport) is slated to work as a consultant for the series.

There is no word yet on how many episodes to expect, or who will be starring in the series. We do know the names of some of the show’s executive producers, however. The list includes Insecure writer/producer Amy Aniobi, and Galt Niederhoffer, who worked on The Kids Are All Right.

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6 Comments

  • giuliagoldston  on  March 12, 2021

    Holy mackerel i hate this beyond belief

  • averythingcooks  on  March 12, 2021

    Wow…. this is such a bad idea…….I can barely wrap my head around it.

  • Indio32  on  March 12, 2021

    I thought it was just me but wow what bad taste!

  • inflytur  on  March 13, 2021

    I did love the British series Yes, Chef, so it is possible to make an intelligent series about food culture.
    If it’s good, it could be a welcome jumping off point for conversations among the consumers of food media. I’m crossing my fingers and hopping for the best.

  • giuliagoldston  on  March 13, 2021

    I should note that I read more and found the full quote and I’m less worried: “draw inspiration from the multiple media scandals of summer 2020 and today, focusing on a cohort of young assistants of color who rise up to tear their cookie-cutter corporate culture apart.”

  • averythingcooks  on  March 14, 2021

    Thanks guliagoldston…….your comment got me reading more about it and I now have a better feeling about what it COULD be…if done right.

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