B.J. Novak-Backed ChainFest Partners With Event Producer Medium Rare

Jill Goldsmith

6 May 2024 at 2:18 pm·1-min read

ChainFest, a chain food celebration that held its inaugural edition in LA last year, is passing the baton to Medium Rare, a fast growing producer of live events and manager of brands, in a multiyear deal.

B.J. Novak of The Office, who founded ChainFest with chef Tim Hollingsworth , helped attract a celeb turnout to its first outing. Jack Davis, founder of Crypt TV (recently sold to Brat TV) is also a co-founder. Chain Fest stakeholders see the first edition as proof of concept but want to improve and expand the fest into a broader entertainment festival with live music and events. The plan is to launch the fest in New York and other U.S. cities.

More from Deadline

Medium Rare, founded by Joe Silberzweig and Adam Richman, works closely with Shaquille O’Neal, who brokered a 2020 deal for Authentic Brands to take a 20% interes t in Medium Rare. O’Neal has a big stake in both companies.

Last month, Medium Rare closed a strategic investment from Palm Tree Crew that valued it at $50 million.

Medium Rare partners and festivals include Travis Kelce’s Kelce Jam, Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Tailgate, Rob Gronkowki’s Gronk Beach, Dave Portnoy’s One Bite Pizza Festival & Sports Illustrated The Party. It is Super Bowl Weekend’s largest event producer. During the pandemic, it made a name pivoting from live space to become a broadcast and virtual production company, putting out popular streaming events, Shaq vs. Gronk and Black Entrepreneurs Day.

Best of Deadline

OK! Magazine
King Charles and Queen Camilla could miss year's biggest wedding after brutal 'snub'
King Charles and Queen Camilla could be set to miss out on the Duke Of Westminster's lavish 'wedding of the year' next month after a snub from the Duke's family in 2004
The Telegraph
Prince Harry just doesn’t get America, says Don McLean
The American Pie singer Don McLean said Prince Harry “just doesn’t get America” after Harry reported feeling underwhelmed by a visit to Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland.
Hello!
Anya Taylor-Joy just wore four belts as a mini skirt and effortlessly pulled it off
The mini skirt in question is exactly how it sounds. See photos
Birmingham Live
Prince William sent Harry a message with George picture and he 'took it to heart'
The Royal Family heir to the throne and Harry have a tumultuous relationship in the wake of the latter's exit from the royals alongside wife Meghan Markle.
Yorkshire Live
BBC Garden Rescue star Lee Burkhill issues warning over his new look amid Charlie Dimmock bra row
BBC Garden Rescue star Lee Burkhill spoke out as he sports a new look in the garden for summer
OK! Magazine
Our Yorkshire Farm's Reuben Owen's huge fail as fans rushed in with support
Our Yorkshire Farm is the hit Channel 5 show that follows Amanda and Clive Owen and their nine children, and it's resulted in a spin-off show, featuring their eldest child, Reuben
OK! Magazine
King Charles' Trooping The Colour plans will 'have one major change' amid cancer battle
King Charles III is expected to take part in his official 75th birthday celebrations at next month's Trooping the Colour, but it will be without one big tradition
OK! Magazine
Britain's Got Talent fans 'figure out' time-travelling couple's magic trick
Britain's Got Talent viewers were left amazed over a magic and illusionist couple after they seemingly 'went into the future' but other fans have been quick to 'rumble' the trick
Hello!
Cheryl is a vision in sheer catsuit with feathered detailing
Cheryl was a vision in sparkly sheer bodysuit for Girls Aloud tour comeback at 3Arena, Dublin alongside bandmates Nadine Coyle, Kimberley Walsh, and Nicola Roberts
Leeds Live
BBC Morning Live’s Helen Skelton supported as she announces break from TV
Helen Skelton recently reunited with Strictly Come Dancing pro dancers
OK! Magazine
Good Morning Britain fans furious as Ed Balls announces his 'replacement' for the next two weeks
Good Morning Britain host Ed Balls has announced he'll be taking a two week break from the ITV show and reveals a familiar face will take his place next to Susanna Reid
OK! Magazine
Coronation Street star says 'nothing can be done' as he gives sad health update
Coronation Street actor Rob Mallard, who plays Daniel Osbourne on the cobbles, has opened up about his health on BBC's Morning Live and said 'nothing can be done'
Liverpool Echo
Kate Garraway tells fans 'see you again soon' as she issues 'healing' update
Kate, 57, lost her husband Derek Draper earlier this year
Birmingham Live
BBC EastEnders' Lorraine Stanley shows off 5 stone weight loss in incredible photos
EastEnders star Lorraine Stanley, who played Karen Taylor on the BBC soap, shared before and after photos on Instagram and told fans about the changes she had made
OK! Magazine
Iconic BBC comedy series to return to screens - 36yrs after first episode
A series of new episodes are coming later this year with the main cast all returning to their former roles in a move that has delighted the show's fanbase
BuzzFeed
This Artist Creates Jaw-Dropping Depictions Of Pacific Islander Women, And You've Got To See This For Yourself
"Pasifika peoples come in all sizes, shapes, and colors, and that’s something I love exploring in my work."
CNN
Sports Illustrated celebrates 60 years of iconic swimsuit models
To mark the special issue’s 60th year in print, the magazine has unveiled seven new covers, reuniting past cover models for a “Legends” photo shoot.
Hello!
Claudia Winkleman's family: meet The Piano star's famous husband, royal sister and kids
Find out more about The Piano and Strictly presenter Claudia Winkleman's home life - from husband and children to royal connections...
The Telegraph
Prince William to be an usher at Duke of Westminster’s wedding, without Harry
The Prince of Wales will be an usher at the wedding of his close friend Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, when he gets married next month.
Digital Spy
Emmerdale star Will Ash shares Caleb twist that shocked him
Emmerdale star Will Ash has revealed that one of the twists involving Caleb Miligan even shocked him.

Latest stories