'The Kitchen Musical': Trying on a new TV recipe

Too many cooks do not spoil the broth… or at least they won’t, if you have a firm hand stirring it.

Talk to CheeK, the creative head of The Group Entertainment, about the newly launched TV show and he’s not shy to tell you that “The Kitchen Musical” is a first: the first television concept to “fuse music, drama, dance and food together, and work as a story.”

The series (watch video here), which CheeK created, revolves around the life-journey of a little rich girl who starts work in the kitchen of a top-flight restaurant (The Avilon) right after graduating from the Le Cordon Bleu, Paris.

Shot at its own purpose-built set at Singapore’s Republic Polytechnic, the series features strong Filipino leads Karylle Tatlonghari and Christian Bautista, alongside British actor Stephen Hughes and will broadcast in 16 countries across Asia and Europe including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and The Philippines.

Already slated for a second season, in 2012, "The Kitchen Musical" will go on tour as a stage musical with the Singapore Repertory Theatre. It has also been picked up by Electus’ Ben Silverman -- responsible for the American adaptations of “The Office” and “Ugly Betty” -- to be produced and distributed in the United States.

We talk to the show’s creator, CheeK on why "The Kitchen Musical" is more than a one-hit wonder, and what he feels makes for good and bad entertainment.

CNNGo: What is your recipe for success?

CheeK: Fusing a little bit of himself and his creativity in "The Kitchen Musical".

CNNGo: Right, aside from the obvious …

CheeK: “The Kitchen Musical” is a mixture of an original and fresh idea, and making sure I have a very clear vision of what I want. Along the way, a lot of well-meaning people will try and say you can’t do this or that but [as the creator] you have to have a really strong vision of what you want and maintain it.

CNNGo: Why food, the kitchen and Asia?

CheeK: It’s the right time. Nelia, the CEO of The Group Entertainment, and I were discussing the latest trends in television worldwide, and two categories kept surfacing: musical (with the likes of “Glee,” “High School Musical” and “Hairspray”) and food (made fashionable by countless reality series like “Master Chef” and “Hell’s Kitchen”).

Then it just hit me “A television musical in a restaurant! The Kitchen Musical!” And Asians' passion for food is infamous, so it made perfect sense to produce a series that would combine the three elements.

CNNGo: What do you say to the critics who compare “The Kitchen Musical” to “Glee?”

CheeK: The only similarity between “The Kitchen Musical” and “Glee” is the singing and dancing -- beyond that they are very different.

“The Kitchen Musical” is set in a restaurant, with recipes shared at the end of every episode, but it is not a cooking show -- which is usually instructional or reality-based -- it is a television musical.

CNNGo: Speaking of music, in the first episode, you’ve adapted Matchbox 20’s “Unwell;” what other songs will we be hearing?

CheeK: All I can say is there will be contemporary and classic songs given a new twist. Some Katy Perry, R.E.M., familiar songs that are given a new twist, they could be English songs or maybe not.

CNNGo: “The Kitchen Musical” will broadcast all over Asia and Europe, how did ensure its global appeal?

CheeK: If you look at any restaurant or kitchen in the world, from the people who work in the kitchen to the customers who dine there, it is a complete melting pot of different cultures and languages. Food, drama, dance and music cover all languages and culture. Why put a label on this?

CNNGo: Was it difficult to decide who to cast?

CheeK: I am very particular about casting and didn't want to rush the process.

The challenge is that the cast must reflect the international feel of the project and must be a triple threat: able to sing, dance and act equally well.

I had worked with Karylle previously on the test pilot and thought she was spot-on for the role of Maddie, so that was an easy decision. Stephen and Christian were perfect for their roles. As for the ensemble cast, each member had their own strength and talent, and when everyone came together as a group, they definitely looked and got along very well. And that’s like cooking too; isn’t it?

Watch, drool and learn, "The Kitchen Musical" will end each episode with recipes.

CNNGo: Talk to us about the food ...

 CheeK: It's mainly a French menu with a modern twist. And every episode has a full menu, appetizer, two mains, dessert, and then wine pairings.

There are small moments where I've paid tribute to my favorite food so you'll see a coq au vin, cassoulet, rack of lamb.

We'll delve into molecular gastronomy, and there's one episode where there is an Indian wedding, so we fuse French and Indian cooking.

CNNGo: We’ve heard you’re quite the wine aficionado, what house wines would you pick for “The Kitchen Musical?”

CheeK: For a red wine, I would like a Central Otago Pinot Noir. It’s accessible with many layers, fruity and has body with a fairly high alcohol content. Perhaps one of the smaller wineries, Felton Road, Lindis River.

For the white, I would go with one from Burgundy. Refreshing but with body, one that has a nice balance between the acidity, alcohol and sugar levels.

For the Champagne it will be a Jacques Selosse, its very complex and refreshing, and good white wine with bubbles.

CNNGo: In your books, what makes for good and bad entertainment?

CheeK: I’m really heartened by the resurgence of scripted dramas and I like stuff that is being done by J.J. Abrams. On stage, I can’t wait to see “Book of Mormons.”

Bad entertainment, I’m personally getting reality fatigue, I think it’s time for us to look at something else. Even food reality shows, at a certain point, for me, I want to enjoy the food, and some of the reality stuff while very entertaining, can leave a bitter taste, because of all the fighting et cetera … but that’s reality TV and that’s how it should be.

Personally, I like to entertain the way we are entertaining … to increase the happiness quotient.

CNNGo: “The Kitchen Musical” is showing tonight but my friends are asking me to join them for a fun night out on the town. Why should I turn them down and stay in to watch “The Kitchen Musical?”

CheeK: Because it rocks!

Audiences can expect fresh entertainment spiced with complex characters, their favorite hit songs and delicious dishes presented in an exciting way.

Each episode will showcase at least four different songs, re-arranged and re-recorded popular hit songs brought to life by specially choreographed dance sequences. And at the end of each episode, you’ll get the recipes to keep.

"The Kitchen Musical" will air on AXN on October 15, 8 p.m. For more information go to www.thekitchenmusical.com