‘Come Dine With Me South Africa’ – A Hilarious Culinary Adventure
If there is one word to describe the BBC’s ‘Come Dine With Me,’ it’s hilarious. The show, which has been on the air for over a decade, is not just about the food but the personalities that it brings together. And now, the South African version of the show is back on air, captivating audiences every Wednesday night at 8 pm.
Executive producer Ryan Deacon, who has been at the helm of the show since the fourth local season, believes that the magic of ‘Come Dine With Me’ lies in its unpredictable cast.
“The least important part is really the cooking. We don’t focus on the food; it’s about the contestants. We want to meet the characters, the personas, where they live, what they do. Are they weird? Have they got chickens in the kitchen?” Deacon shared.
Nothing is off-limits on the show, except for a few choice expletives. Casting for ‘Come Dine With Me’ is a fine art, and Deacon’s team has a knack for finding contestants who make for unforgettable television.
“People always ask how we find them,” Deacon said. “They find us. It’s such a niche pool of viewers, and they love the show, so the right people tend to enter. Within 30 seconds of watching someone’s casting video, you know if they’ll work on the show.”
Creating the Perfect Mix of Personalities
Once the contestants are selected, the next challenge is to assemble the perfect combination of personalities. Deacon explained that the team aims for a mix of characters who will either complement or clash with each other just enough to keep things interesting.
“We stress-test—who will clash, who will get along? But you can never be sure. Two out of four contestants might behave exactly as expected, and then one throws a curveball that shifts the entire dynamic,” Deacon said.
Contestants also need to have a home that can accommodate the production, even if their kitchen is a disaster. However, Deacon emphasized that some participants fail to make the most of the budget provided for the dinner party.
“We provide a decent budget for a dinner party, and they buy a piece of chicken and make some jollof rice. That’s not a dinner party,” Deacon lamented.
Behind the Scenes Antics
Not everything recorded for ‘Come Dine With Me’ makes it to air. The entertainment segments at the dinners often end up on the cutting room floor.
“Everyone wants to show off. ‘I’ve got a friend who’s famous, my daughter plays the piano, I’ve hired a fire thrower.’ But we’ve only got 52 minutes, and we want the contestants to shine, not have them standing around clapping for a belly dancer,” Deacon explained.
Winning on the show is not solely about the food served at the table. Deacon emphasized that personality matters more than anything, as people vote for who they had the best time with, not necessarily who made the best meal.
The Magic of Dave Lamb’s Narration
The cherry on top of the crazy antics on ‘Come Dine With Me’ is Dave Lamb’s sardonic narration. His voice has become synonymous with the show and can turn even the most mundane moments into hilarious entertainment.
“We always edit the show and write the script with Dave in mind. When his voiceover comes back, you’re rolling on the floor laughing at something you knew would be funny, but hearing him say it just makes it irresistibly laughable,” Deacon shared.
For Deacon, the show is as fun behind the scenes as it is for audiences. “I’ve done a lot of shows, but this is the one where I genuinely laugh the most,” he concluded.
