Chef Konstantin Ivlev is set to launch his new culinary reality show, Young Knives: New Blood, making its debut on February 26 at 19:00 on the channel Friday! The show aims to discover cooking talent among young people, providing them not only with technical skills but also with life-changing opportunities.
According to reports from newsorel.ru, the project will host twenty aspiring chefs aged between 15 to 22 from various regions across Russia. This includes individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from children's homes and those with personal struggles. They will each undertake intensive training over 12 weeks, aimed at transforming their culinary skills and life paths.
Among the participants is Daniil Zhukovin, a 19-year-old from Livny who has faced bullying due to his voice condition. Despite the challenges, he has thrived, becoming a student at a prestigious culinary college and working part-time as a barista, hoping to nurture his dream of opening his restaurant someday.
Ivlev, who is not only the host but also the producer of the show, expressed his commitment to mentoring the next generation. He stated, "When I was young, my father advised me, 'Kostya, people will always want to eat, whichever authority is in charge. If you pursue this, you'll always have food on your table.' I followed his advice and dedicated my life to cooking," reported Friday!
The show looks to recreate the structure of culinary college training, complete with classes, exams, and internship opportunities. Each week, students will face rigorous challenges, with the weakest participant being eliminated. Ivlev emphasized, "Young Knives: New Blood is very humane. It's about what many dream of—a bright future. We will give those who love cooking and want to dedicate their lives to it the knowledge they won't get even at culinary schools, such as the fundamentals of professional resilience."
Each episode will showcase participants undertaking real challenges reflective of professional kitchen demands. For example, they will engage with food production processes through visits to meat processing plants, farms, and markets, gaining firsthand insight and skills necessary for culinary excellence. Recently, students have faced extreme challenges, including preparing to work with massive cuts of meat under intimidating circumstances, ensuring they grasp the reality of the culinary profession.
The premiere event on February 26 will begin airing weekly episodes, maintaining its slot every Wednesday at the same time. Ivlev aims to instill not just culinary knowledge but also resilience and ambition among the contestants, encouraging them to strive for more, regardless of the setbacks they have encountered.
The show, which integrates not only culinary challenges but also the personalities and stories of the young chefs, promises to be emotional and inspiring. Ivlev believes this project could act as both entertainment and empowerment, proving to viewers the importance of pursuing one’s passion and the potential for transformation within the culinary arts.
With 12 episodes planned, audiences eagerly anticipate watching these young chefs evolve, not just as cooks but as individuals, as they tackle the high-stakes challenges of the kitchen under the guiding hand of Ivlev.