The popular British creator collective known as the Sidemen is taking their brand of entertainment to the next level with a fresh cooking competition series titled Sidemen Presents: SideMenu. The show will launch across two major platforms—YouTube and Amazon Prime Video—bringing the Sidemen’s signature humor and camaraderie to a new audience while exploring the growing trend of creator‑led culinary programming.
Sidemen’s Evolution From Gaming to Game‑Show Stardom
Since their early days of gaming videos and prank compilations, the Sidemen—comprising KSI, Miniminter, Zerkaa, TBJZL, Behzinga, Vikkstar123, and W2S—have consistently pushed the boundaries of what a creator group can achieve. Their first major leap came with the 2025 revival of the classic game show Supermarket Sweep on YouTube, which combined nostalgia with the Sidemen’s modern flair. The success of that project paved the way for more ambitious ventures, such as the reality competition Inside, which began on YouTube and later transitioned to Netflix to reach a broader audience.
With SideMenu, the Sidemen are once again experimenting with format and distribution, this time diving into the world of cooking competitions—a genre that has proven fertile ground for creator‑centric reimaginings.
What to Expect: Format, Challenges, and Guest Stars
Each episode of SideMenu will pair a Sidemen member with a guest competitor—often a fellow creator, influencer, or culinary enthusiast—to form a team that must tackle a series of themed challenges. The show will borrow elements from established cooking competitions while adding its own unique twists:
- Mystery Box Twist – Similar to the staple of Chopped, teams receive a box of surprise ingredients they must incorporate into their dishes.
- Cuisine‑Based Themes – Echoing the structure of Top Chef, each episode will focus on a particular cuisine or cooking style, such as Italian, Mexican, or vegan fare.
- Sidemen‑Style Humor – The Sidemen’s trademark banter and playful rivalry will keep the atmosphere light, even as the stakes rise.
Judging will be handled by a rotating panel of culinary creators, including the well‑known chef and YouTuber Harrison Webb and the popular cooking channel Sorted Food. Their expertise will provide both credibility and a fresh perspective, ensuring that the competition remains grounded in genuine culinary skill.
It’s worth noting that not every Sidemen member will appear in the first season. KSI, for instance, has reportedly been unavailable for filming, which means fans will still get to see the rest of the group in action.
Unconventional Distribution Strategy
The premiere of SideMenu will drop on the MoreSidemen YouTube channel on June 18, 2026. This initial episode will serve as a teaser, showcasing the format and building anticipation. The following three episodes will then be released exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, a move that reflects the Sidemen’s ongoing strategy to diversify their audience base and tap into the streaming market.
By splitting the release across platforms, the Sidemen aim to:
- Maximize Reach – YouTube’s massive user base provides instant visibility, while Prime Video offers a premium viewing experience.
- Encourage Cross‑Platform Engagement – Viewers who enjoy the YouTube premiere may be enticed to subscribe to Prime Video for the rest of the season.
- Leverage Data Analytics – The duo of platforms allows the Sidemen to
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