TV celebrity and restaurateur Guy Fieri heads up the enormously successful series DINERS, DRIVE-INS AND DIVES for the Food Network. We were asked to provide production services for the TV shoot and to find restaurants and contributors for two episodes in Season 22 in Tuscany, and one in London for Season 23.
In Italy, we filmed ‘Fillin’ Up in Florence’ and ‘Cruisin’ the Italian Countryside’. Finding restaurants in Italy that fill the DDD criteria – good, simple food at a reasonable price – is really easy! The challenge comes when the owners have to speak English! But we did it, and we found 6 great restaurants all within the Florence/Lucca region. Filming dishes as they are prepared requires good continuity to make sure the editor has everything needed to cut a fluid sequence. So, we prepared the chefs beforehand so they understood the filming process.
We also set up a truffle hunt for Guy with an expert truffle hunter and his great dog. Guy was thrilled, especially when the dog found a truffle and Guy could cook it later.
Another hallmark of the DDD series is Guy’s opening piece-to-camera while driving a great car. So, we hired a gorgeous red Ferrari Cabrio for him to drive, and even got permission for him to drive on the ancient city wall of Lucca!
Click here to see Cruisin’ the Italian Countriside https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=br-Rmu0Qcbk