CASE STUDY — 2019
GRANNY KNOWS BEST 奶奶最懂得
Sixteen grandmothers, eight provinces, an 8.9 on Douban — and 22 million views on Tencent.
- CLIENT
- TENCENT VIDEO
- YEAR
- 2019
- ROLE
- DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
- CATEGORY
- TELEVISION
THE ROUTE
Eight half-hour episodes across eight provinces — Anhui, Zhejiang, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Fujian and Hainan. Mandarin-fluent British chef Jamie Bilbow learns 18 traditional dishes from 16 grandmothers who still cook the old way, then cooks a fusion meal for each in return. Co-produced by Tencent's Penguin Pictures and Ryan Pyle Productions, premiering October 2019.
THE WORK
Kitchens, courtyards and markets — small spaces, real people, and dishes that only get cooked once. Two cameras, available light first, and the food always shot like a hero. The audience agreed: 22 million-plus views and an 8.9 rating on Douban.
LOGISTICS
Eight provinces in one production, village access negotiated family by family, and a schedule built around harvest, market days and when grandmothers actually cook.
NO SECOND TAKES ON A DISH THAT ONLY GETS COOKED ONCE.
Outcome
- 8 EPISODES · 8 PROVINCES
- 22M+ VIEWS · DOUBAN 8.9
- COVERED BY GLOBAL TIMES
Credits
- DP — CHAD INGRAHAM
- HOST — JAMIE BILBOW (大米)
- PRODUCTION — PENGUIN PICTURES / RYAN PYLE PRODUCTIONS
Watch the Granny Knows Best - Trailer (2:32)
All projects · Chad Ingraham, cinematographer and photographer, Fredericton NB