Cooking shows have been a staple of television for many, many years. And with the dawn of streaming, these shows have been more popular than ever. These days, it seems that people are more and more drawn to the world of food. Food is universal; we can all relate to eating and enjoying it. Food is also a medium that tells stories about creativity, culture, and basically the entire human experience.
TV shows about cooking food are a dime a dozen lately so we’re here to tell you which ones you should check out. From exhilarating cooking competitions to relaxing documentaries to even the best drama on TV today, these are the 15 best TV shows about cooking food.
15. MasterChef – Fox
MasterChef is the premiere competitive cooking show that reality TV has to offer. It’s an intense, high-pressure competition that pits cooks against each other as they battle it out in a series of challenges. From recreating mystery ingredients to whipping up restaurant-quality dishes in under an hour, there’s no shortage of drama and entertainment as we witness ordinary people pushed to their limits and emerge as culinary masters. It’s an inspiring show for anyone with dreams and aspirations of becoming a chef. It’s also a good place to pick up handy tips and tricks that will elevate your cooking at home. Plus, you get to see Gordon Ramsay judge and pick apart people’s cooking with his signature snark and fiery temper.
14. Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern – Travel Channel
When we think about cooking shows, most of us will probably picture fancy plating and gourmet ingredients. But this show takes all of that and throws it out the window. Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern is all about going on an adventure. We get to witness Andrew Zimmern as he travels around the world looking for the most unusual and the weirdest things that people consider food. We get to see him eat bugs, fermented shark, and even small rotten clams. While that’s where most of the entertainment comes from, this show also approaches everything with genuine curiosity and respect. After all, food is inherently tied to culture and tradition. So if you want something interesting that shows you the most bizarre food you’ll ever see, give this show a try.
13. The Chef Show – Netflix
Jon Favreau isn’t just an accomplished director; he is now also a real chef! The man behind the first Iron Man movie (which kickstarted the Marvel Cinematic Universe) stars in this show where he teams up with prominent chef, Roy Choi, as they go on a fun-fueled food adventure. Unlike most cooking shows, The Chef Show isn’t about the competition. It’s more about the pure joy of cooking food. Favreau and Choi hit the road and explore different culinary styles and techniques. If you’re looking for something a little more chill but will still celebrate the love for food, The Chef Show is the cooking show you’re looking for.
12. Ugly Delicious – Netflix
Never judge a book by its cover. That’s a saying that fully embodies the whole point behind Netflix’s Ugly Delicious. Let’s face it, some of the most delicious food in the world doesn’t always look appetizing. But are you gonna let that stop you and deprive you from tasting good food? Chef David Chang takes us on an adventure and proves to us that food doesn’t always look good. If you’re curious about the authenticity behind certain dishes and what exactly will make a dish taste good, then Ugly Delicious will be your next favorite binge. It celebrates food in all its messy, glorious forms.
11. Good Eats – Food Network
The typical cooking show format ain’t doing it for you? Don’t worry, Good Eats has you covered. Good Eats is a show about understanding the “why” behind the “what” in the kitchen. Hosted by Alton Brown, this show uses a mashup of hilarious skits, catchy tunes, and sometimes even puppets, to teach us the science behind common cooking techniques. So if you find typical cooking shows boring and want something more akin to a variety show with a little bit of culinary knowledge, you should go and check out Good Eats.
10. Chopped – Food Network
Okay, let’s go back to fierce cooking shows. If you want something just as intense as MasterChef but will pit four chefs into a kitchen battle royale, Food Network’s Chopped is the show for you. So how does it differ from your typical cooking show? Well each round in Chopped will begin with a mystery basket that the chefs have to incorporate into their dish. The mystery basket can contain anything from peanut butter to squids to even gummy bears! Armed with only their creativity and resourcefulness, these chefs will use their limited time to whip up a full course meal. This is one show that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
9. Nailed It! – Netflix
Here’s something for people who want to watch a baking show. Nailed It! is just as hilarious as it is glorious. This is a show that features lighthearted competition and celebrates all the glorious failures and kitchen catastrophes. Home bakers try their hands at making elaborate cakes and desserts that look like they came straight out of a museum. Hosted by Nicole Byer and judged by renowned pastry chef, Jacques Torres, this show is pure comedy with a little baking on the side. If you’ve ever messed up a cake before, you’ll find this show extremely relatable.
8. Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations – Travel Channel
Feel like going on a culinary world tour with food bad boy Anthony Bourdain? Join the late, great Anthony Bourdain as he dives deep into the culture of hotspots around the world through their food. His no-nonsense approach and childlike curiosity make him the most compelling man to ever chow down on a plate of sheep’s head. He’ll try anything whether it’s weird, wonderful, or even downright dangerous. All while offering insightful commentary.
7. Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives – Food Network
Guy Fieri is one of the most iconic and recognizable celebrity chefs in the world. And for good reason. He hosts this show as he takes us all on a greasy spoon adventure all across America. He searches for the most hidden of hidden gems. Whether it’s charming diners with creaky leather booths, classic drive-ins with carhops, or hole-in-the-wall dives that will serve you legendary dishes, you can bet that Fieri will be all up in it.
6. Salt Fat Acid Heat – Netflix
You can always count on super charming chef Samin Nosrat to deliver the goods when it comes to a cooking show. If you’re feeling a little lost in the kitchen and want to learn more about cooking, then this show will help you know your way around. It teaches us to understand that there are only four key ingredients when it comes to cooking food: salt, fat, acid, and heat. This show will break down all the principles in building flavors and will empower you to transform your everyday meals.
5. Chef’s Table – Netflix
Netflix is really killin’ it when it comes to food-centric documentaries. Chef’s Table might be the best food related TV show on the streaming service. Each episode focuses on a single cook and we get to explore their unique background, philosophies, and the inspirations behind their dishes. It’s a beautifully shot look into the life and kitchen of culinary talents around the world. Their personal stories paired with the stunning visuals make this show a must watch for anyone who is remotely interested in food or any kind of fast food.
4. The Great British Baking Show – BBC Studios
Competitive cooking shows are great; especially if you want to be inspired or are looking for something that will light that fire within you. But what if you want something a little more wholesome? The Great British Baking Show is all about soggy bottoms and brilliant banter. You get to see amateur bakers from all walks of life try their hand at making some of the best desserts and pastries you’ll ever see. This show is just as fun and informative as it is delightful and relaxing. Whether you love baking or just want something cozy to watch, The Great British Baking Show will be perfect for you.
3. Iron Chef America – Netflix
From something wholesome, we shift gears into one of the most high-octane competitive shows you will ever watch. In Iron Chef America, everything is a battle. Every ingredient is a weapon and all the other chefs are out to beat you. This is one of the toughest and most exciting cooking shows of all time. If you want high-pressure throwdowns and “kitchen stadium” theatrics with a dash of culinary knowledge, you have to watch Iron Chef America.
2. Hell’s Kitchen – Fox
This is arguably the most famous cooking show of all time. Hell’s Kitchen features legendary chef, Gordon Ramsay, as he throws newbie cooks into a high-pressure cooker of a kitchen and sees how many diamonds he can make. He pushes everyone to the brink of their limit to see how they’ll recreate complex dishes and respond with flawless dinner service. Not only is it famous for Ramsay’s meltdowns, it also gives us a glimpse of what life is like inside a professional kitchen. It’s a wild ride for sure but winners will get the ultimate prize: a life-changing job at a prestigious restaurant.
1. The Bear – FX
Could it really have been anything else? The Bear is must watch TV even if you’re not that into food. While it is the only scripted show in our list, don’t let that stop you from watching this masterpiece. We get to see Carmy, a young chef who came from one of the most highly regarded restaurants in the world, as he inherits a chaotic, debt-ridden diner named “The Bear.” He is thrown into a high pressure environment filled with family tension and the relentless grind of the restaurant industry. The Bear doesn’t shy away from portraying the harsh reality of working in a kitchen but it balances it out with nuanced moments of camaraderie and satisfying character drama. It’s one of the best shows on TV right now and with season 3 coming out this summer, now’s the perfect time to start watching The Bear.