MasterChef’s Ross creates Endemol Shine prodco

MasterChef UK creative director Karen Ross is launching Sidney Street Productions, a new food and lifestyle-focused prodco that will be part of the Endemol Shine Group.

Ross will pass the MasterChef reins over to series executive editor David Ambler, who will oversee all iterations of the Shine TV-produced format from the New Year.

Ross has worked across all of the BBC’s MasterChef shows in the UK for a decade.

At Sidney Street she will work up food, factual and lifestyle shows. Announcing the new prodco this morning she said: “I’m delighted to be launching Sidney Street Productions with the support and backing of Endemol Shine.

“With a strong skill set in food programmes and competitions the vision for Sidney Street Productions is to deliver high quality, populist programming with storytelling at its heart.”

Richard Johnston, CEO Endemol Shine UK said: “That MasterChef is enjoying some its best ratings after 12 years is a testimony to [Karen’s] drive, dedication and eye for detail.

“She leaves the show on a real high, in the excellent hands of her long-time collaborator David and we are delighted at Endemol Shine to launch the next phase of her story with her.”

Prior to her 12-year stint on MasterChef Ross was an exec producer at Shine. Before that she produced factual shows for the BBC, MTV and Granada among others.

Sidney Street marks the second new prodco in the Endemol Shine stable after Endemol and Shine Group merged last year. In March, the firm launched drama producer Bandit Television, with former BBC producer Phillippa Giles at the helm.