P i s t a c h i o

An Original Made-for-Mobile Comedy-Cooking Series Wins Big in LA

I see developing this into a full-on lifestyle package, but less plastic and more relevant to the next-gen web-savvy woman who isn’t color-coding her linen closet. — Nadia G

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Giosia, centre, with [clockwise] Shaouli, Rochon, Sammy, Koussioulas

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Los Angeles – Bitchin’ Kitchen star Nadia Giosia is in town to pick up her WAVE Award for Favourite Mobile Comedy Series on February 15. The made-for-mobile series is a unique hybrid — an original 24-episode comedy-cooking show that went up against some TV heavyweights and won.

In the quick 75 days since its debut, Bitchin’ Kitchen grabbed the interest of such mobile behemoths as Verizon and Telus. The show is seen on wireless mobile across North America, as well as in Australia, with U.K. and European distributorship currently in negotiation.

Bitchin’ Kitchen is the hottest new cooking show on iTunes, beating out Jamie Oliver in its first month. The show’s YouTube Channel gets strong viewership, and Giosia’s BitchinKitchen.TV website is ready for business.

At these awards, Giosia is in the company of some impressive TV talent. King of Queen’s Leah Remini, whose new mobile show In the Motherhood garnered the same two nominations as Giosia. She beat Remini for Favourite Comedy Series but lost to her for Favourite Comedy Artist, which makes them even, you might say.

On the tongue-in-cheek side, Giosia promotes fake-fur leopard-skin rubber gloves, June-Cleaver-esque aprons, and funky kitchenware. But she also has serious sponsorship.

Premier Canadian refrigerator and stove-maker Elmira StoveWorks is represented by the fire-engine-red retro models featured front and centre on her show. Japanese knife-maker Kasumi, and Belgian Cookware-specialist Demeyere, the favourites of serious chefs, round out Giosia’s culinary credibility. The cooking is real, and the jokes take a pause while she does her demo. All her recipes are available on BitchinKitchen.TV.

Giosia has also signed a book deal. On Valentine’s day 2009, Globe Pequot Press will release The Bitchin’ Kitchen Cookbook: Rock Your Kitchen and Let the Boys Clean Up the Mess.

“I see developing this into a full-on lifestyle package,” says the dishy Montrealer, 27-year-old, “but less plastic and more relevant to the next-gen, web-savvy woman who isn’t color-coding her linen closet.” She’s looking to see what lies beyond Martha, she and could probably kick Rachel Ray’s ass, but only for fun.

Giosia’s episode titles belie the edgy delivery of her culinary vision, as in Rehab Ravioli, One-Night-Stand Breakfast, Single-Life Salmon and Broke-Ass Aglio-Olio. Also in evidence is her cultural and culinary heritage. Giosia’s Italianate gesticulations tell it like it is, no-holds-barred.

Her Get-Famous Frittata serves up a bit of foreshadowing. Giosia’s show has put her on the Hollywood radar, and while she’s in L.A. She’ll be meeting with the handful of agents who have already expressed interest in her.

For cutaways to Daily-Show-style comedic correspondents, Nadia has a stable of proven Canadian comic talent.

Ben Shaouli is hilarious as the Israeli Spice Agent, who cracks wise about cumin and saffron in front of a Middle East backdrop.

Hans, played by Bart Rochon, is the show’s “himbo,” an impressive chunk of man meat.  “He’s not a comedian,” says Giosia, “but who cares. He’s hot.”

Comic Sugar Sammy, who recently opened for Dave Chappelle, plays Sid the Barmeister in his first scripted role. As the show’s mixologist, he whips up cocktails to go with whatever Giosia is cooking, but not before delivering his fair share of funny.

Peter Koussioulas is Panos, The Fish Guy, who mugs with a giant salmon, but then seriously, for a moment, explains what to look for to make sure your fish is fresh. Panos knows his stuff; he grew up working in the family fish market.

Joshua Dorsey is Giosia’s Gemini-nominated director and co-producer. Executive Producer of the show is Airborne Entertaiment, the Montreal-based mobile entertainment company that chose Bitchin’ Kitchen to showcase the company’s foray into original made-for-mobile entertainment. Airborne President Andy Nulman is best known as former Just For Laughs CEO during the 15 years the international comedy festival went from a two-day event to a month-long talent showcase, with two million visitors a year and revenues of $25 million.

Alain Julfayan is the show’s Jutra-nominated director of cinematography, who has Corteo and Cirque de Soleil among his credits.

Simon Webb is editor and graphic designer, with three feature films in production for 2008. He is also an award-winning director of a 2001 short called “Virtual Insanity.”

The WAVE Awards are named for the Academy of Wireless Arts, Video and Entertainment, acknowledging this new mobile platform giving TV a good run for its money.

February 1, 2008