Chuck Studios Continues to Expand Reach with New U.S. Office

Chuck Studios, the first global food-specialist creative production company, announced today the opening of its new U.S. base in Los Angeles, California. The LA office will be helmed by Elyse Sara, whose former company CANTEEN has joined forces with Chuck Studios. Chuck Studios was founded in 2011 by Ellen Gaedtgens and Olaf van Gerwen and is headquartered in Amsterdam with a third office in Moscow.

Co-founder and global creative director Olaf van Gerwen commented: “If you’re going to do this, you need to do it right. And right, in the case of building a global food production brand, means opening an office in the city that lives and breathes film. LA has the added advantage that it adds a more than decent lineup of directors to our U.S. roster to help even more brands visualise their culinary identity. We’ll be right at home.”

With their U.S. expansion, Chuck Studios doubles down on its unique vision and pedigree. Describing itself as a ‘new breed of food and tabletop company,’ Chuck Studios is not male- and technology dominated like many of its peers, but diverse and as obsessed by the communications challenge as by the taste appeal. Its U.S. roster will be comprised of a collection of experienced directors, including Van Gerwen, director duo Spicy and Kristy Snell among others. Some of the production company’s most recent work includes multi-platform food campaigns for McDonald’s, KFC and Clif Bar.

Sara, previously founder and executive producer at CANTEEN, will serve as partner & managing director of U.S. operations for Chuck Studios, focusing on expanding the company’s roster of clients and directors in the U.S. Sara brings 15 years of production industry experience, working with brands such as McDonald’s, Burger King, Heinz and Pepsi. Sara will work alongside the leadership team to change the way food and beverage brands perceive themselves, helping them develop a culinary identity that is exclusive to their brand and product.

“I’m thrilled to be joining a team that is so passionate about its work, its clients, and its people,” said Sara. “Chuck Studios has such a strong reputation in the industry, especially in Europe, and it only felt natural for them to expand to the U.S. next. I’m looking forward to working with Ellen and Olaf to bring Chuck Studios’ fresh creative perspective and Dutch charm to the West Coast.”