Bonnier Fakta and TV4's Cooking Collaboration

Photo: TV4

Sveriges Mästerkock (Sweden's top chef) is underway in full force on TV4. More than 2,000 people applied and 14 made it as finalists. On April 20, Sweden's top chef will be revealed. The following day, a book sharing the same title as the TV show will be released by Bonnier Fakta.

"We had a good dialog and cooperation earlier with the Halv åtta hos mig cookbook [based on a TV show of the same name], so we took contact and explained the new program, and that's how we got started," says Bon-Hee Nilsson, head of licensing at TV4.

The "food" cooperation began between TV4 and Bonnierförlagen began awhile ago, when the two companies started up the recipe website Recept.nu. Jonas Byström, publishing director at Bonnier Fakta, says that it's exciting and a challenge to work with TV.

"Book productions that run parallel with the TV series require a lot of editorial power in a short time period," Byström says. "We produce the book at the same time the TV show is being filmed, in principle. But we're very happy with the final product, and we get plenty of extra sales power from the TV program, which has a huge effect. When we started the Halv åtta hos mig cookbook, we thought we'd sell 6,000 copies but today we've sold more than 70,000."

The book Sveriges Mästerkock includes the participants' recipes, as well as recipes from the jury members.

"The purpose of the book is to strengthen the Sveriges Mästerkock brand and give it a longer life than just the period it's broadcast on TV," says Nilsson. "We are always looking for additional business possibilities with our brands in order to lengthen their lives, give better customer service and improve the business in general."

The cooperation between Bonnier Fakta and TV4 will continue even after the top chef has been named. The winner will win, along with SEK 250,000, a book contract for his or her own cookbook that will be published by Bonnier Fakta in spring 2012. Morberg - Den stora matresan (Morberg - the big food journey) is another cooperation between TV4 and Bonnier Fakta, as well as the new Halv åtta hos mig cookbook that will be out in the fall.

"We're hoping naturally to work together in the future," says Nilsson. "If nothing else we think there will be a continuation of Sveriges Mästerkock and that means more cookbooks!"