Swedish network TV4 has commissioned a new culinary competition show titled 100 Knives, marking a significant addition to its prime-time lineup. Produced by Mastiff Sweden, a subsidiary of Banijay Entertainment, the format was co-developed alongside Bunim/Murray Productions and Smart Dog Media. This initiative represents the first commission for 100 Knives anywhere globally, setting the stage for what has been described as the “largest cooking show in history.”
The format features 100 chefs from diverse backgrounds, including food truck owners and fine dining apprentices, competing in a high-pressure culinary arena. They will be organized into teams, or brigades, facing escalating challenges where teamwork is essential. As the competition unfolds, chefs will be eliminated in each episode until one emerges victorious, having proven their ability to perform under intense pressure.
Fredrik Arefalk, Director of Channels and Content at TV4, expressed enthusiasm about the show, stating, “100 Knives is a format that truly stands out in a noisy market.” He highlighted TV4’s legacy of launching original formats that resonate with viewers, emphasizing the mix of competition, dreams, emotions, and food as a compelling combination.
Matilda Snöwall, CEO of Mastiff Sweden, added that audiences are increasingly drawn to large-scale formats imbued with emotional stakes. She noted, “100 Knives takes that intensity and scales it to huge proportions,” suggesting that the combination of one hundred chefs and brigade battles will create a spectacular viewing experience.
Mastiff Sweden is well-known for producing local adaptations of popular reality shows, including Survivor and Love is Blind. The company has also contributed to various adaptations of Netflix’s reality offerings, alongside producing shows like Best Singer and Over the Atlantic.
The announcement of 100 Knives coincided with the approach of MIPCOM 2025, an important international content market beginning on October 16. Executives from Banijay Rights will be keen to secure additional deals during the event. James Townley, Chief Content Officer of Development at Banijay Entertainment, remarked on the show’s development, stating, “From its early development stages to first commission, 100 Knives is testament to how collaboration heightens creative ambition.”
He emphasized the growing demand for formats that deliver immersive and emotionally charged storytelling, asserting that the show amplifies the energy of pressure cooker kitchens to a level rarely seen on television.
As 100 Knives joins Banijay Entertainment’s fresh slate of original and captivating formats for MIPCOM 2025—alongside titles like Let’s Play Ball, Football Island, and Villa of Temptations—it promises to engage audiences with its unique blend of culinary artistry and competitive spirit.