Cooking shows have been entertaining and educating, home chefs since 1946. With more platforms than ever to air content, their popularity has continued to grow. From Food Network and Netflix to PBS and BBC – cooking shows are pretty much available everywhere. To help narrow down your list, we’ve done the searching for you. Hungry? Read on to learn more.
12 Cooking Shows Guaranteed to Whet Your Appetite
Consider the list below as an appetizer, not the main course. Like any respectable chef, we have completed our mise en place – sorting the shows by genre, as well as including links and where you can watch them. So, whether baking is your jam (sorry, we couldn’t help ourselves!), or you prefer cooking competitions – you can find what you are looking for quickly. Bon appetit!
Travel-Based Cooking Shows
Add these shows to your watch list if you enjoy traveling and discovering new cuisines.
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat
Chef and author, Samin Nosrat expands on her on award-winning cookbook by the same name in this four-episode docuseries. Nosrat travels to northern Italy, Japan, and the Yucatan – exploring how local chefs use each element to create incredible ethnic cuisine.
Watch it on: Netflix
Seasons: 1
Somebody Feed Phil
From smørrebrød in Copenhagen to egg creams in New York City, Phil Rosenthal is on a quest to sample local dishes from around the world. Best known as the creator of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” Rosenthal’s delightful sense of humor is front and center as he interacts with chefs and locals throughout each episode.
Watch it on: Netflix
Seasons: 3
Street Food
This Netflix docuseries explores the history and rich culture of street food. Follow along with the hosts as they explore the food carts, markets, and stalls of Asia and Latin America. Each episode offers a glimpse into the people and the unique food they create.
Watch it on: Netflix
Seasons: 2
Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown
Following celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain’s travels to exotic locations, Parts Unknown celebrates cultures and cuisine. Twelve seasons long, the series is currently available for viewing on HBO Max. After his death in 2018 CNN partnered with Roads & Kingdoms to develop an interactive guide that fans can use to recreate Bourdain’s travel adventures.
Watch it on: HBO Max
Seasons: 12
Reality TV Cooking Shows
If you love cooking and a healthy dash of competition, be sure to add these shows to your queue.
The Great British Bake Off
One of Netflix’s most popular cooking shows, The Great British Bake Off follows a group of amateur bakers as they vie for the title of best baker. Challenges assigned by the show’s judges include everything from specialty breads to themed desserts. Contestants are eliminated each week until the final episode decides the overall winner.
Watch it on: Netflix
Seasons: 8
Chopped
Hosted by Ted Allen, Chopped currently airs on Food Network and Hulu. Amateur chefs are handed a basket with a mystery ingredient at the beginning of each episode. Contestants are required to complete a dish within a certain time period using the mystery ingredient – which could be anything from Cheese Whiz to Kalamata olives. Contestants are judged on presentation, tase and creativity using the mystery ingredient.
Watch it on: Food Network, Hulu
Seasons: 16
Sugar Rush
Desserts of all shapes and sizes take center stage in this competitive cooking show. Each episode features a themed challenge designed to test the baking and decorating skills of each contestant.
Watch it on: Netflix
Seasons: 3
MasterChef
Celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsey, serves as one of the main judges of this popular cooking show. Each season amateur chefs must complete a series of challenges to advance to the final round. The challenges are designed to test each chef’s skills, creativity, and ability to perform under pressure.
Watch it on: Fox
Seasons: 10
Educational Cooking Shows
If you are questioning why fries that are salted twice taste better, or how the maillard reaction affects your food (spoiler alert: it matters, a lot), these shows are for you!
America’s Test Kitchen
A PBS mainstay, America’s Test Kitchen is known for its rigorous, albeit unconventional approach to uncovering the best way to prepare food. The show covers cooking techniques, equipment reviews, and taste tests in an entertaining, easy-to-understand format.
Watch it on: PBS
Seasons: 20
Milk Street Kitchen
Hosted by the former host and CEO of America’s Test Kitchen, Christopher Kimball, Milk Street takes a similar approach. In addition to equipment reviews and product taste tests, episodes explore how to recreate ethnic dishes like paella and polenta, at home.
Watch it on: Amazon Prime
Seasons: 4
Barefoot Contessa: Cook Like a Pro
Ina Garten invites us into her gorgeous kitchen and shares her tips and tricks for creating easy, but elegant meals at home. Whether you are an avid home chef or not, Garten’s charming personality will have you tuning in regularly.
Watch it on: Food Network
Seasons: 5
The Great British Baking Show: Master Class
A spin-off of the popular reality cooking show, Master Class showcases the judges’ baking skills as they recreate the same dishes assigned to the chefs during competition.
Watch it on: PBS
Seasons: 5
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