Appetizing Adventures With Luke Mangan to Premiere Wednesday, November 7
New York, NY – October 8, 2007 – ULTRA HD, the first channel devoted to the worlds of fashion, beauty and style in high definition, announced today that it has tapped renowned Australian chef Luke Mangan for an all-new original series, APPETIZING ADVENTURES WITH LUKE MANGAN, which premieres Wednesday, November 7. The eight episode series will follow the culinary guru on an exotic road trip throughout Asia as he seeks inspiration for new dishes for his acclaimed restaurant back in Sydney. APPETIZING ADVENTURES WITH LUKE MANGAN is produced in stunning high definition by ULTRA HD, in collaboration with Singapore's Mega Media and the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA). ULTRA is one of the VOOM HD Networks, the largest and most diverse suite of high-definition channels nationwide, and features such premier programming as FULL FRONTAL FASHION, the best-known and most authoritative television program in fashion.
"As we continue to broaden our unique and visually-stunning programming line-up, we are excited to bring Luke Mangan's energetic personality and expertise to our channel," said Elizabeth Dewey, VP of Programming for ULTRA HD. "This creative new series is another great example of how ULTRA HD continues to offer its viewers fascinating and highly entertaining content from around the world, whether it be an introduction to Asian cuisine and culture or a backstage pass to runway shows from Paris and Milan."
Throughout the series, Chef Mangan, one of Australia's brightest culinary stars, will head to Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan and India in an inspirational quest to find new dishes to add to his menu. His gastronomic instincts lead him to superb dining establishments as well as tiny roadside shacks to find the most delicious regional foods in Asia. Viewers will experience the cuisines of some of Asia's most vibrant locales with Mangan as he learns their culinary customs, samples their top dishes and tries to master new cooking techniques. With Mangan's keen sense of taste and creative cooking experience, he will incorporate what he experienced and learned into a fine-dining meal which he will prepare at his own restaurant in Sydney at the end of each episode. Special invited guests and celebrities – Mangan's harshest critics – will get to sample his Asian fusion cuisines and share their comments.
Luke Mangan is recognized internationally as one of Australia's leading chefs and restaurateurs and is currently the chef/owner of glass brasserie at the Hilton Sydney and Salt Tokyo in Japan, and is soon to open South Food + Wine in San Francisco. In addition, Mangan is a roving TV food reporter; author of three cookbooks; international ambassador and spokesperson for Australian produce; Lexus Appetite for Excellence Award founder and judge; one of 12 Healthy Active Ambassadors promoting the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle in an Australian government initiative to fight childhood obesity; and a frequent donator of his culinary skills to raise money for a wide number of charities.
ULTRA HD presents a 24/7, commercial-free slate of high fashion and lifestyle programming, in superb quality 1080i HD and 5.1 Dolby© Digital Surround Sound, offering an unparalleled way to experience the textures, colors and vivid details of the world of design.
About VOOM HD Networks
VOOM HD Networks comprise the world's largest suite of high-definition channels for distribution through satellite and cable operators. Produced exclusively in true high-definition and 5.1 Dolby digital surround sound, VOOM HD Networks carry programming in categories as diverse as sports, movies, fashion, music and art. VOOM HD Networks' 15 HDTV channels are available in the U.S. on Echostar's DISH Network and Cablevision's iO digital cable service. A 24/7 linear VOOM HD channel is available internationally and is currently distributed in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Select VOOM HD programming is also available worldwide and has been licensed for exhibition in more than 150 countries. Building on Rainbow Media Holdings LLC's history of original programming innovation, VOOM HD was developed to meet the growing worldwide demand for quality high-definition programming.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media is a leading producer of targeted, multi-platform content for global distribution, creating and managing some of the world's most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands, including AMC, IFC, WE tv, LIFESKOOL, SPORTSKOOL, and VOOM HD Networks. Through its IFC Entertainment division, Rainbow Media also owns and manages the following: IFC Films, a theatrical feature film distribution company; IFC First Take/IFC in Theaters, a day and date theatrical feature film/VOD initiative; the IFC Center in New York City; IFC Productions, a feature film production company; and IFC Entertainment, which owns and operates a film library. Rainbow Media also operates Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales company, and Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company.