C4 commissions The Diner (w/t) with Michelin star chef Michel Roux Jr.

26 March 2015

Channel 4 Head of Factual Entertainment Liam Humphreys and Commissioning Editor for Factual Entertainment, Lucy Leveugle, today announced the commission of a new 4x60 series exploring the hurdles faced by people with disabilities and mental health issues when finding employment.

Featuring two-star Michelin chef Michel Roux Jr. in his first ever Channel 4 series, ‘The Diner’ (w/t) will follow a group of people with a range of disabilities or long-term conditions as they strive to pursue careers in the hospitality business.

Mentored by chef Michel Roux Jr. and with the support of a number of back-to-work charities, ‘The Diner’ (w/t) will follow contributors as they are trained, undertake work experience and ultimately as they attempt to secure to work placements or full time employment in the hospitality industry.  

Michel Roux Jr. said

“I am passionate about the restaurant industry and in my mind there should be no barrier to work. I’m thrilled to be part of a project that celebrates people’s abilities, challenges perceptions and hopefully transforms lives”.

Speaking on the commission, Lucy Leveugle, Commissioning Editor for Factual Entertainment, Channel 4 said

‘Michel Roux Jr. will be a wonderful mentor to our contributors on their journey and I am excited to see how they progress in the scheme as they live and work together. Talent can come from what might seem to some as the most unlikely of places and this series is about people who are following their dream – that of getting a job’.

David Clews, Twofour Creative Director added

“We are delighted to be working with Michel Roux Jr on such an exciting and important project, as he supports our contributors on a potentially life changing experience.”

The series is being produced by Twofour Wales under Creative Director David Clews and Executive Producer Juliet Rice. The Series Editor is Sam Grace.

ENDS

Production Information:

Channel 4 Commissioning Editors: Lucy Leveugle and Liam Humphreys

Production Company: Twofour Wales

Executive Producers: David Clews and Juliet Rice

Series Editor: Sam Grace