MasterChef has been a critical success in pretty much every country it has been syndicated in, and that includes Thailand. But what exactly makes a cooking reality competition like MasterChef Thailand indeed so successful in terms of audience. We meet the producer of the Thai versions of both MasterChef and Iron Chef, Kitikorn Penrote to find out the recipe of success.Â
Photo: Courtesy of Heliconia H Group
Kitikorn Penrote, the CEO of his own Heliconia H Group, has long been in the business of making TV shows, particularly reality competitions, that amuse mass Thai audiences. In fact, you might be familiar with one hugely popular reality singing competition that ran for over a decade called Academy Fantasia. That was Kitikorn’s first show after deciding to open his own television entertainment company. But what inspired Kitikorn’s passion and creativity for riveting entertainment? Perhaps it was brewing since his undergraduate days at Chulalongkorn University. Studying in engineering, the future entertainment mogul was more enlightened by the arts. He joined the prestigious CU Band as a pianist and singer. He also knew then that he had a passion for food as well and thought about how to convert his passions into a career.
In order to become the best, you need to always be creative. Before you start working on something, ask yourself what do you like. Then, you will be able to enjoy what you working on and become creative with your work. It will never be boring for you.
— Kitikorn Penrote, CEO of Heliconia H Group
