Banijay frames the show as an uplifting celebration of family traditions and strong women, with James Townley claiming it taps into global trends for feel-good entertainment.
The real juice? It’s not just about lasagna. Insiders know that forcing grandmothers into a rustic farmhouse with international cuisine challenges is a recipe for explosive rivalries and unfiltered nonna sass.
Commissioned by Sky Italia’s TV8, the show features Alessandro Borghese as head judge. Banijay Italia’s portfolio includes 'Survivor' and 'Bake Off Italia,' with the debut set for Mipcom in Cannes on October 12, 2026.
If you think grandma’s cooking is safe, think again. Banijay is banking on the fact that nonnas will throw more than just flour when the stakes are high.
The culinary world is about to get a lot spicier, and not because of chili flakes. Banijay Entertainment has officially announced that it will debut its new Italian cooking competition, “Cooking Grandmas,” at the upcoming Mipcom content showcase in Cannes. This isn’t your typical quiet Sunday dinner; it’s a high-stakes primetime format commissioned by Sky Italia’s TV8, designed to pull at heartstrings and perhaps stretch a few patience limits.
The premise? Grandmothers competing in an uplifting culinary contest where traditional family recipes collide with the harsh realities of modern competition. At the center of this storm is Alessandro Borghese, one of TV8’s most beloved personalities, who will serve as the head chef and judge.
Borghese, a restaurateur and celebrity chef, will be the gatekeeper deciding which nonna’s risotto reigns supreme and which one gets sent packing. But the drama doesn’t stop at the stove. Contestants are forced out of their comfort zones, tasked with mastering fine dining techniques, street food trends, and international cuisines.
Imagine a seventy-year-old trying to plate a deconstructed sushi roll while Borghese watches with a critical eye. It’s chaos, and we are here for it. Beyond the kitchen, the format leans heavily into reality TV tropes.
The grandmothers live together in a rustic farmhouse, a setting ripe for friendships to bloom and rivalries to boil over. Banijay Italia’s chief creative officer, Francesco Lauber, described the participants as “strong, funny and competitive women,” noting that the shared living space brings out their “humor and fighting spirit.” This isn’t just about food; it’s about the characters behind the cherished recipes. Lauber emphasized that the show is a “warm and entertaining celebration of remarkable women,” but let’s be real—when you put competitive grandmas in a house together, things are going to get messy.
James Townley, chief content officer for development at Banijay Entertainment, touted the show’s global appeal, stating it “taps into several global trends we know resonate with audiences globally.” He pointed to the combination of culinary traditions and character-led storytelling as key drivers for success in international markets. With Banijay Italia’s existing portfolio including heavy hitters like “Survivor” and “Bake Off Italia,” the studio knows how to manufacture drama. Other titles on the Mipcom slate include “100 Knives” and “Last One Standing,” but “Cooking Grandmas” might just be the most addictive bite of the bunch. Keep your eyes on Cannes; the aprons are tied, and the knives are out.
