29 April 2024 - Today, Roku, America’s #1 TV streaming platform*, announced the greenlight of “Best Bite Wins,” a Roku Original food competition series hosted by Josh Peck. In celebration of entertaining, passing apps, and eating together, “Best Bite Wins” gamifies cocktail party culture, with professional chefs competing to present the best party food to hungry judges and clientele at real events, from birthday parties to retirement celebrations and everything in between. In addition to Peck, special events chef Monti Carlo will serve as the series’ culinary expert.

“We are thrilled to partner with Josh Peck, Velvet Hammer Media, and Michael Bloom to bring a fresh and fun new competition series for our audience to devour,” said Olivia LaRoche, Head of Alternative Originals, Roku Media. “Food content deeply resonates with our streamers, and we’re pleased to give them more of what they love and further bolster our Roku Originals slate with ‘Best Bite Wins.’”

“The Roku Channel has a menu of original content that is unmatched. I couldn’t be happier to be joining the slate, along with Velvet Hammer Media and Bongo Pictures, to bring ‘Best Bite Wins’ to hungry viewers everywhere,” said Josh Peck.

VHM co-Founders and EPs Jennifer O’Connell and Rebecca Quinn said, “Authenticity is the key ingredient in our competition shows, and ‘Best Bite Wins’ is rooted in the real world, where clients are the true culinary judges, the ones chefs ultimately must please. It’s great to have the wonderful Josh Peck bring his signature warmth and humor to the table, and to continue working with Roku, as well as our friend Michael Bloom at Bongo Pictures.”

“Josh, Monti, and Velvet Hammer really created an incredibly fun and competitive atmosphere around everyone’s love and infatuation with appetizers,” said Michael Bloom, executive producer for “Best Bite Wins.” “The main course doesn’t matter on this series! Really love how the team at Roku leaned right in from their first bite of this concept.”

The six-episode series is produced by Velvet Hammer Media and Bongo Pictures. Jennifer O’Connell and Rebecca Quinn executive produce for Velvet Hammer Media. Michael Bloom, Josh Peck, and Matthew Hobin also serve as executive producers. The series is overseen by Olivia LaRoche, Head of Alternative Originals, on behalf of Roku Originals.

Josh Peck is an actor, writer, and podcast host. He can recently be seen in Christopher Nolan’s Academy Award-winning Best Picture feature, “Oppenheimer,” alongside Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, and Robert Downey Jr. “Oppenheimer” released in theaters July 21, 2023.

Josh will next be seen in the comedy feature “Summer Camp,” which he will star in alongside Diane Keaton, Kathy Bates, and Eugene Levy. “Summer Camp” will be released in theaters via Roadside Attractions on May 31.

He can recently be seen in the second season of Hulu’s “How I Met Your Father,” alongside Hilary Duff, as well as the third season of “iCarly,” alongside Miranda Cosgrove for Paramount+. Josh can also be seen in the Netflix feature film “13: The Musical” as Rabbi Shapiro for director Tamra Davis, alongside Debra Messing. He starred in the Disney+ reboot of “Turner & Hooch,” playing the son of the beloved role that Tom Hanks originated. In March 2022, Josh authored and published his memoir Happy People Are Annoying with Harper Collins. The New York Times called it a “witty and smart self help book.” Later that year, Josh launched his podcast “Good Guys” via Toast News Network. He co-hosts the series with Ben Soffer (@boywithnojob).

Chef Monti Carlo is synonymous with vibrant Puerto Rican flavors and captivating food media. Beyond crafting unforgettable dishes for exclusive events, Chef Carlo reigns as editor-in-chief of Food World News. A respected authority, she also serves as a committee member and judge for the prestigious James Beard Foundation. Her latest cookbook, Spanglish, will be released in spring 2025.

Roku’s growing slate of Roku Originals offers bold, fresh entertainment from the biggest names in Hollywood. In addition to “Best Bite Wins,” viewers get free access to “The Great American Baking Show,” “Honest Renovations,” “The Spiderwick Chronicles,” “Morimoto’s Sushi Master,” the “Die Hart” franchise, “WWE: Next Gen,” “WEIRD: The Al Yankovic Story,” and more.

*By hours streamed (Hypothesis Group: Q4 2023)