Shaun Murphy’s Big Owl Pictures, Alexandra Jakob, founder of private investment firm Globe Wealth and iconic Australian Chef and restauranteur, Matt Moran, have teamed up to launch a new food format series, ‘Memory Bites with Matt Moran’, for SBS Food and SBS On-Demand.
BBC Studios will represent the format globally and distribute the series. In ‘Memory Bites with Matt Moran’, the renowned Chef dives into the personal and emotional histories of well-known Australians, exploring their life stories through the lens of food.
Each episode centres around a significant meal from the guest’s past, a dish that evokes powerful memories of childhood, family and love.
Whether it’s a long-lost family recipe, a simple dish cooked by a loved one, or an extravagant meal from a life-changing event, food memories unlock emotions and untold stories. A unique element of the show is the Memory Box, where Matt unwraps surprise items from the celebrities’ past, transporting them back to their formative years.
"Memory Bites is a beautiful format,” Matt says. "There’s nothing quite like seeing someone’s face light up when they take a bite of a dish, once cooked by someone they love, that transports them back to a moment in time. It’s a unique and warm way to share the connection between food and memory.”
Bringing the series to the screen is the result of an innovative co-production model between Shaun, Matt and Alexandra, who joined forces to secure an original commission in a tight market, with a mix of private equity, commercial partners and network presale.
Alexandra, an executive producer on the series, says: "Food is such a powerful connector and through the series, we’re able to uncover food stories that resonate with everyone. It’s been an honour to partner with Shaun and Matt, to allow audiences to share in the laughter, tears and memories that unfold with every bite.”
"It’s exciting to bring a fresh food format to the global market,” says Shaun, Big Owl Pictures founder and executive producer on the series. "Memory Bites takes us on an emotional journey through food, connects us with some of Australia’s most beloved personalities in a new way and gives us a chance to pause, look back at our loved ones, and tap into our own individual Memory Bites”.
Some of the big names joining Matt in the kitchen include Richard Roxburgh (Elvis, Rake), Pia Miranda (Looking for Alibrandi, Wentworth) and comedian Ross Noble.
‘Memory Bites with Matt Moran’ will air and stream in early 2025 on SBS Food and SBS On-Demand in Australia.
