Big Zuu's Big Eats
Comedy cooking show starring Big Zuu, Tubsey, and Hyder.
Big Zuu's Big Eats is a British comedy cooking show that first aired on Dave on 15 May 2020. The programme features rapper and grime artist Big Zuu alongside his friends Tubsey and Hyder. Each episode involves the trio meeting a celebrity, talking about their most memorable and favourite foods, and then preparing a meal for them.
The first series was shot in autumn 2019, with Zuu, Tubsey, and Hyder cooking for comedians while travelling across the country in a branded food truck. Zuu would meet the comedian at their performance venue to discuss food preferences, then create a four-course menu: an amuse-bouche followed by a starter, main course, and dessert. The group would shop for ingredients, often choosing local businesses over national chains, and clips from the comedian’s live show were interspersed. Zuu demonstrated the recipes in the food truck with help from Tubsey and Hyder. The amuse-bouche was served to the comedian just before or during their performance, and the full three-course meal was shared after the show. The final two episodes of series one were Christmas specials with multiple guests from music and comedy, featuring holiday-themed menus.
Because the Coronavirus pandemic disrupted live performances, series two and three expanded to include a wider range of celebrities in various locations. The core format—conversation about food, shopping, cooking, and eating—remained, but the filler activities changed. For instance, Harry Redknapp taught Zuu how to play golf.
In May 2023, it was announced that the show would return for a fourth and final series later that year, which premiered on 25 September 2023.
The show received positive reviews. It was nominated for Best Features at the 2021 BAFTAs and won that award at the 2022 BAFTAs, where Big Zuu also won Best Entertainment Performance. At the Broadcast Awards, it won Gamechanger Programme of the Year in 2021 and Best Popular Factual Programme in 2023. Critics noted that the format expansion for series two was a beneficial change. After the BAFTA wins, Big Zuu's refugee background gained attention, and the Refugee Council praised the show as a positive portrayal of refugees and their families. The programme was favourably compared to established cookery shows. *The Daily Telegraph*’s Anita Singh and *The Observer*’s Barbara Ellen both gave the third series four out of five stars
- premiered
- 15 May 2020
- network
- Dave
- stars
- Big Zuu, Tubsey, Hyder
- genre
- Comedy television series
- final_series
- Series 4 (2023)
Lore & Background
The first series was filmed in autumn 2019, featuring Zuu, Tubsey, and Hyder cooking for comedians on tour while travelling in a branded food truck. Each episode involved Zuu meeting a comedian at a performing venue, discussing food likes and dislikes, and creating a four-course menu: an amuse-bouche followed by a starter, main course, and dessert. The trio shopped for ingredients, often favouring local businesses, and Zuu demonstrated cooking with assistance from Tubsey and Hyder. The amuse-bouche was served to the comedian before or during their performance, and the three-course meal was shared after the show. The first series concluded with two Christmas specials featuring multiple guests and Christmas-themed menus.
Reader's Guide
The show received favourable reviews and earned significant recognition. At the 2021 BAFTAs, it was nominated for Best Feature; at the 2022 BAFTAs, it won Best Feature and Big Zuu won Best Entertainment Performance. It also won Gamechanger Programme of the Year at the Broadcast Awards in 2021 and Best Popular Factual Programme in 2023. The format expanded in series two and three due to the Coronavirus pandemic, featuring a wider range of celebrities and varied locations, which was regarded as a positive move. The show's BAFTA wins highlighted the refugee backgrounds of the three hosts, and the Refugee Council welcomed it as a positive portrayal of refugees and their families. The Daily Telegraph and The Observer both gave the third series four out of five stars.
Did You Know?
- The first series was filmed in autumn 2019.
- The show won Best Features at the 2022 BAFTAs.
- Only Big Zuu has a refugee background; Tubsey and Hyder are not documented as having refugee backgrounds.
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