Spotlighting the UK’s Culinary Heritage

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Access in collaboration with Food Network and discovery+ are launching a Production Incubator Programme designed to spotlight the UK’s culinary heritage.

The programme offers emerging production companies the opportunity to develop a new concept within an established format, while gaining direct exposure to WBD executives, commissioners and production teams. The goal of the programme is to create pathways for newer creative entities to the WBD ecosystem.

 

About the Programme

The Production Incubator is a three-phase development programme designed to support emerging and mid-level production companies in developing a new concept within the existing Food Network and discovery+ portfolio. 

Production companies applying will be asked highlight restaurants, food ventures and the chefs behind them, pitching a new episode idea exploring the depth of the UK’s food history and culinary traditions.

Projects should be talent-led, with a strong on-screen personality guiding the storytelling and exploring how food reflects identity, culture and community across the UK.

Selected companies will participate in a structured professional development week, culminating in a Pitch Day, where projects will be presented to WBD executives and commissioners. Three concepts will be selected for a one-episode commission with up to £45,000 of funding. A Creative Producer and WBD Commissioner will be assigned to each project.

Prospective applicants can click here to sign up to a virtual information session taking place on Tuesday 7 April to have all their questions answered.

 

Programme Structure

The first part of the programme will include a professional development week at Warner Bros. Discovery’s London offices. Each participating company will also receive £3,000 to support two team members attending the development week. The week will include:

• Creative Development meetings to refine the concept and develop pitch materials
• Take part in sessions with WBD teams across commissioning and production
• Gain insight into Food Network and discovery+ editorial and production processes through direct engagement with WBD executives, commissioners and production teams
• Sessions focusing on professional development, including, but not limited to: personal branding, pitching and leading inclusively.
• The opportunity to pitch to WBD Commissioners, Executives and other industry stakeholders
• Three selected projects will receive up to £45,000 in funding each to produce a 22-minute episode for Food Network and discovery+.
• The completed episodes are scheduled to debut on discovery+ in November 2026

Companies will enter into a standard commissioning agreement, with development and commissioning operating on a full buy-out model. WBD is committed to supporting sustainability and inclusion within the UK television sector and across its commissioned programming. In advancement of these objectives WBD requires the Producer to comply with Albert and all related WBD protocols, and acknowledge and agree that WBD is participating in the Creative Diversity Network. This will be detailed in the commissioning agreement.

 

Creative Brief

In the application form, you will be asked to respond to the prompt: 

We are looking to tell real food stories about the depth of cultures in the UK through the food you actually eat. We love food with heart - the kind that comes with a personal story of friends, family and life. 

We are looking for the next best culinary talent and personality. Not just a cook, but someone who can command a kitchen and a conversation with effortless humour all at the same time. Someone who can deliver a compelling and entertaining story around food who feels like a friend and happens to be a top tier chef. Someone who cooks for the people, making delicious modern food for everyone. 

Building on the success of Secrets of the Pub Kitchen and Secrets of the Curry Kitchen, we’re now looking for the next must watch talent to reveal the passion behind the hacks and secrets inside their kitchen. Click here to view episodes of both shows.

 

Storytelling

We want stories anchored by authentic talent who possess natural warmth and humour. Our viewers know their food. We want to see amazing cooking and clever recipes that they will want to make themselves. Each recipe must showcase elevated craft and clever, 'must-make' recipes that feel both premium and accessible.

 

Format & Tone 

Episodes should be 22-minute episodes.

We are interested in new and different ways to do traditional 'chop and chat' format. Whether it’s an exciting new UK food journey or a deep dive into an aspirational, pastoral precinct where a chef lives and works, the setting should feel like a character in itself.

Authentic stories rooted in people, places and food culture, exploring how cuisine connects to identity, history and community.

Tone  Culturally grounded and celebratory, highlighting the depth and breadth of the UK's culinary heritage.

Talent  Food Network and discovery+ programming is typically talent-led, so applicants are encouraged to identify strong on-screen personalities. Formal attachment is not required but will strengthen submissions.

Please note that you will need to confirm that the materials submitted must be original to you and is not being considered anywhere else or by anyone else. Any format or IP required for your submission should be wholly owned by your production company.

 

How to Apply

Please apply below.

Applications will be reviewed internally, after which a longlist of companies will be invited to interview before the final companies are selected to participate in the programme.

Selected companies will then attend Phase 1: Professional Development Week, the week beginning June 15, 2026 in London.

Please note that companies invited to attend and their nominated representatives may be subject to a third-party background check, which may include identity verification, a basic DBS check and social media screening.

 

FAQs

When is the deadline?   

All applications must be submitted by 11:59pm BST on 26 April 2026

 

How do I apply?   

All submissions must be made through our portal (see link below). Submissions via email will not be accepted.     

 

Do I have to submit a finished idea?  

No, we want to hear what your ideas are for a 22 minute, one-episode commission based on the prompt: 'We're looking to tell real food stories about the depth of cultures in the UK through the food you actually eat. We love food with heart - the kind that comes with a personal story of friends, family and life.'

 

Can I apply as an individual?  

Applications are currently open to production companies only, as the programme requires applicants to apply through a registered company for contracting, funding, and delivery purposes. Individual applicants are therefore not eligible.

 

What should I do if I’m unsure about my eligibility due to my company structure?  

If your situation falls outside typical structures or you are uncertain about eligibility, we encourage you to reach out for clarification. Please email any questions to access.international@wbd.com 

 

How in-depth do I need to be when sharing my episode idea?   

We encourage you to include as much detail as possible within the 250-character limit. Aim to clearly convey your vision in a succinct and engaging way. 

 

Do I need to have talent attached the project?  

You do not need to have talent formally attached in order to apply. However, WBD’s linear and discovery+ programming is typically talent-led, so applications may be stronger where a potential host, chef or on-screen personality has been identified.

If you have a specific individual in mind to lead the project, we encourage you to include details about them in your submission. This helps demonstrate how the talent will guide the storytelling and bring the concept to life.

 

When will I find out if I am successful?   

We aim to inform successful applicants in June 2026. Those who are successful in the application process will be invited to a Professional Development Week at Warner Bros. Discovery London offices, focused on developing their creative idea and getting an insight into how the commissioning and production process works for WBD’s linear channels and discovery+. A week following the Professional Development Week, a pitch day will take place, where all production companies will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas. Following this, three pitches will then be selected for production. If living outside of London, reasonable travel expenses will be covered, including transport to/from London and lodging.

Please note that, if you are successful, participation will be subject to contract and satisfactory completion of background checks. 

 

What will the production process be?   

All films as part of the programme will be allocated a production budget of up to £45,000. The production companies who are greenlit will be responsible for the production of their episodes. Companies will enter into a standard commissioning agreement, operating on a full buy-out model. WBD will provide editorial feedback provided by a WBD Commissioner and a Creative Producer. 

All finished films will need to be delivered by 25 September 2026.

 

What is the selection process?   

Each application will be reviewed by a committee which will be made up of a panel of executives from various creative and production departments across WBD.

 

What is the time commitment of the programme?  

If your production company is selected, you will be required to attend the mandatory professional training programme which will be in-person in London in June 2026.

The three projects that are chosen to move into production should be completed between July and September, and the production company will need to be able to commit the required time to get their episodes done. 

You may also be required to attend other meetings with Commissioners and the Production Teams during this time and with the wider WBD Access programme team.  Where possible, we will aim to give as much notice as possible. 

There will be a premiere of the episodes during October 2026 and production companies involved in the programme will be asked to attend this engagement. 

Can I ask some more questions?   

Of course, please get in touch with our team via email on access.international@wbd.com 

 

Who can I contact about a technical issue I’m having with the Applicant Portal?    

If you are still experiencing technical issues after reading through the above FAQ, please contact access.international@wbd.com 

 

Will my self-identification information be shared? How will this information be used?   

Individual level self-identification data will never be shared. Collecting and analysing the aggregate data allows us to understand how successful we are in reaching our targets. All self-identification questions are voluntary to answer.

 

I am registered outside the UK. Can I apply? Will you handle my visa?  

We are currently only able to accept submissions from companies registered with Companies House in the UK. As the programme does not have the capacity to sponsor visas or support immigration processes, we’re unable to accept applications from individuals who would require this.

 

Who Can Apply

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be an emerging or small- to mid-tier production company, which is defined as having an annual turnover below £6 million as per the last set of annual accounts.
• Have no ownership stake from an existing broadcaster, streamer or production company.
• Not have previously produced content for WBD’s linear channels and/or discovery+
• Be headquartered in the UK.
• Have produced at least one unscripted commission for a broadcaster or streamer (in the application form, you can upload up to three links although only one is mandatory).
• Be able to fully commit to the programme schedule – including the full professional development week, the Pitch Day- and production timeline.
• Both individuals attending the professional development week must be over 18 years old at the time of application.

Applications must be submitted by a producer applying on behalf of a limited company registered with Companies House with the approval of ownership of that company.

 

Selection Criteria

Each application and will be reviewed by a committee which will be made up of a varied group of professionals from Warner Bros. Discovery and external industry representatives. The committee will use the following criteria: 

• Response to the prompt ‘We are looking to tell real food stories about the depth of cultures in the UK through the food you actually eat. We love food with heart - the kind that comes with a personal story of friends, family and life.
• Demonstration of why you are the right production company to tell this story.
• Strong on-screen talent identified. Formal attachment is not required at application stage but will strengthen submissions. Ideally UK based new chef/cooking talent, but some TV exposure or growing online presence is fine.
• Projects should align with the editorial tone and style of Food Network and discovery + factual entertainment programming. For example, the warmth, humour, personal reflections, expertise and food take out of shows such as The Secrets of the Pub Kitchen, Secrets of the Curry Kitchen, A Slice of Sophie Grigson and Gok Wan’s Easy Asian.
• Evidenced creative track record of producing unscripted programming for a broadcaster or streamer.
• Illustration of how taking part in this programme will contribute to the longer-term goals for the applicant production company.
• Feasibility and cost effectiveness of the project budget.
• Feasibility of production schedule or timeline. 

 Those that make it to the top ten shortlist will be invited to interview in May 2026.

 

Programme Timeline

Applications open: 31 March 2026

Applications close: 26 April 2026, 23.59pm BST

Applications outcome: Week commencing 1 June 2026

Professional Development Week: Week commencing 15 June 2026 (full days, in-person at WBD offices in London)

Pitch Day: 24 June 2026

Episodes greenlit: 1 July 2026 

Episodes delivered: 25 September 2026

Dates are subject to change.