Author: Jill Hammergren

A dream in the making for eight years is finally a reality! Millennial Professional Chef, Lee Wright from England and TV Producer/Media Consultant Jill Hammergren from the United States are excited about launching the global TV series, EAT, SKI, LIVE. It’s been quite a journey to this point.

Let’s take a look at how all started. Fresh off his appearance on the UK’s MasterChef, The Professionals, Chef Lee Wright headed to New York City in the summer of 2012 to film a pilot for a cooking TV show called The Wright Way. Six networks planned to pick it up – if he could find the sponsors who would back it and fund the production.

“I scrolled through LinkedIn looking for a producer to make the dream a reality. I found Jill Hammergren, The Media Pro, and I sent her a message, looking for advice,” said Wright, “and to my surprise, she responded.”

“I was intrigued with Lee’s tenacity and enthusiasm,” said Hammergren, “but I was grounded in the knowledge that at that time, it was going to be a really tough sell to get sponsors aboard on a new cooking program. I told him that there are a million wannabe TV chefs and unless he had a big restaurant or a big following, it would be difficult to stand out in the crowd.”

Instead of squashing Wright’s dream of one day being on TV, Hammergren knew he had promise and she wanted to see if she could someday find a way to help him realize the dream. The two of them forged a great long-distance friendship stoked by thousands of phone calls, instant messages, video chats, emails, and exploration about what they could do that was unique. Wright asked Hammergren to teach him about TV production and to help him understand the nuances of finding a great concept. She sent him video clips and links to review. She talked at length about great storytelling, engaging imagery, and developing an audience. He absorbed everything like a sponge and asked for more.

“The mentoring began. I would challenge him on what he likes to do – what makes him really tick, what is unique about his cooking style or philosophy, what he likes to do when he’s not cooking – what are his values,” said Hammergren.

“I told her I like to water ski,” said Wright.

“Water ski?”

“Yes.”

Hammergren quizzed him, “Why waterskiiing?”

“I have been competing in slalom water ski events since I was a kid,” Wright said, “I love being out on the water. After a long day of cheffing, I love to get out on the lake and all my stress and cares go away. It gives me balance.”

DING, DING, DING!

That was the bell ringing in Hammergren’s head.

“There’s our hook!”

“Really?”

“Yes,” Hammergren said, “We need to combine your love of cooking with your love for water skiing!”

“Ok, how?”

Wright and Hammergren talked a lot more and started to see that Lee’s love for food, action and adventure, and travel were good angles, but something really stuck in Hammergren’s mind.

“When Lee said that waterskiing gave him balance,” she said, “I thought wow! That’s really great. Everyone wants that in their life.”

Hammergren and Wright had spent countless hours of him educating her on just how tough it is to be a chef – all the long hours on your feet, prepping and cooking, loads of pressure, and high demands take a toll. They also discussed that people everywhere get caught up in working so many long hours that they forget to find time for fun and doing things that feed their creativity or give them a release or as Lee said, give them balance to their lives. They knew they had to help make a difference for people.

So, EAT, SKI, LIVE was born!

With renewed vigor, Hammergren began writing up a treatment for the TV series with Wright constantly feeding her ideas. Because of the time difference, they furiously shared thoughts back and forth at all hours of the day. Hammergren’s knowledge of marketing and media consulting combined with her experience in TV production and Wright’s input and will to make this work no matter what, helped form the vision the two now have for making EAT, SKI, LIVE.

“We’re a great team,” Wright said.

“I know that audiences will connect with Lee’s enthusiasm, youthful exuberance, his great skills as a chef, and his love of bringing people together around food and beverages, experiencing action-adventure, travel, tourism, lifestyles,” Hammergren said, “All the while, we will help people find a work-life-balance.”

Fast-forward to September 2019, Wright and Hammergren decided it was time to take a chance on the EAT, SKI, LIVE concept. Wright flew to North Carolina, where they met in person – for the first time!

“Yes, seven years after I first sent Jill that message on LinkedIn, we finally met in person!” Wright said. “I can’t believe it is really happening!”

“It is crazy that it took us that long to meet in person, but our friendship and bond are strong,” Hammergren said, “We really see this EAT, SKI, LIVE concept as something that will bring the world together.”

Hammergren organized a quick pilot production and the two set forth developing some episodes and content for the TV series.

“It’s been great to work with Jill’s award-winning production team,” said Wright, “Our sizzle reel/pilot has started creating a buzz and we’re getting some contacts by some networks and distribution channels.”

In January 2020, SKI TV became intrigued with the concept, which led Wright and Hammergren to fly to Norway in February for a week-long adventure of shooting some alpine episodes of EAT, SKI, LIVE! Those episodes are now in post-production. The plan is to launch the series in Summer/Fall 2020.

“We can’t wait to share EAT, SKI, LIVE with the world,” Hammergren said.

“I am excited about spreading our message of how you can #discoveryourbalance,” said Wright.

EAT, SKI, LIVE is currently looking for investors and sponsors and promoting the series to networks and global distributions. For information on how to get involved with EAT, SKI, LIVE connect with us here.