NBCUniversal Formats’ “Top Chef” heads to Mongolia for the first time in an adaptation deal with Nomadia Pictures Producing and NTV Broadcasting for NTV, Univision, DDish and Look TV. The culinary series – Asia’s fourth local version – is currently in pre-production with a weekly prime-time slot scheduled for later this year.

The new series highlights Mongolia’s contribution to Asia’s formats environment, and the country’s ongoing commitment to producing original content. This includes a wide range of adaptations, from three seasons of “Spelling Star Mongolia” (Banijay) for Edu TV & Dream TV, another three of “Secret Life Of 5 Year Olds Mongolia” (Banijay) for Mongol TV, and two seasons of “The Voice” (ITV Studios) for Mongol TV, along with “Love Island”, also by Nomadia Pictures.

The 14 x 60-min Mongolian version of “Top Chef” is the fourth adaptation in Asia, following Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, and the eighth NBCUniversal Formats title licensed in the region. The series has 31 international adaptations 

The deal was sealed by NBCUniversal Formats’ VP, Format Sales and Production, Linfield Ng, Nomadia Pictures Producing CEO, Bars Ganbold, and NTV Broadcasting CEO Bayarbat Ariunbol.

Ng today described Mongolia as a “vibrant and growing market with a rich culinary culture”.

Mongolia has also stepped up its collaborations with other countries in Asia, including the film “Searchers: Blood in the Grass” (Mongolia/South Korea), which was part of the 24th edition of the Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum’s (HAF24) Genre Film Showcase in March this year.

Correction: The original version of this article said that “Top Chef” is the eighth licensed globally by the Universal Studio Group's NBCUniversal Formats. This is incorrect. "Top Chef" is one of eight formats licensed in Asia. 31 versions of "Top Chef" have been made around the world.