Top 10 Amazing Food Shows to Watch on Netflix
#10: “Avec Eric” (2009-)
If you’re a fan of Anthony Bourdain’s shows, you very likely recognize Eric Ripert, who frequently appeared with Bourdain in various episodes, accompanying him on his food explorations. But if you’ve already watched every episode of “Parts Unknown” and want more, you may want to try “Avec Eric”, which has a similar concept. Ripert is a French chef, host, author, and seafood expert who brings viewers along on a ride that goes from his gourmet kitchens, to locations all over the world – all while meeting food producers and trying out local dishes and ingredients. It's delicious for all the senses!
#9: “Ugly Delicious” (2018-)
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Most modern foodies are familiar with David Chang, who is at the helm of the Momofuku empire and the sadly defunct Lucky Peach magazine. He’s also the figure at the heart of “Ugly Delicious”, a series which hit Netflix in 2018 and was almost immediately binged by food lovers around the world. Every episode has a very specific focus and does a deep dive into that particular dish or topic. One of the most enjoyable things about this show is the high production value and cinematography, with each shot looking gorgeous and cinematic enough to appear in a major Hollywood production.
#8: “The Mind of a Chef” (2012-17)
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Speaking of David Chang, before he was hosting “Ugly Delicious”, he was serving a similar position on the first season of “The Mind Of A Chef”, a show originally produced by foodie of foodies Anthony Bourdain for PBS, and which eventually made its way on to Netflix. Each episode is short and snappy, and features a chef guiding the audience along on a guest to combine concepts of science, travel, and of course food. Bourdain also narrates each episode, so if you’re missing your favorite traveling food connoisseur, this show might be one might be for you.
#7: “Cooked” (2015-)
Many of the shows on our list were created for other networks and then streamed by Netflix, but this was one of the earliest examples of a food-related Netflix original. Based on Michael Pollan’s book “Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation”, this short documentary series delves deep into the history of different cooking techniques and traditions. The book and the show are separated into four sections: Earth, Air, Fire and Water, and each episode hones in on that theme. You’ll be sure to come out of this viewing experience with some interesting dinner party conversation topics!
#6: “The Final Table” (2018-)
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For a long time, Netflix was lacking in the cooking competition show category, but in 2018 they released an original series that scratched that itch for many viewers. “The Final Table” had chefs pair up into teams of two and cook from a different international cuisine in every episode, trying to best their competitors. These aren’t your average home cooks, and the level of competition is very high. While you may not be able to recreate any of these dishes in your own kitchen, it will definitely inspire you to think differently about the featured ingredients and get creative.
#5: “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat” (2018-)
While many women have their own cooking shows, in terms of shows in this particular genre, hosting is mostly a role relegated to men. That’s why 2018’s “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat” was so refreshing, with cook and food author Samin Nosrat leading viewers on a journey around the world to discover the four basic elements that make a great meal: salt, fat, acid and heat of course! Based on the book of the same name, Nosrat takes us on a visually rich adventure to explore food culture in Italy, Japan, Yucatan and then at her home in California.
#4: “Nailed It” (2018-)
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Most of the shows on our list are about the pinnacle of haute cuisine, but this one is a little different. “Nailed It” is essentially showing us what NOT to do in the kitchen, and will keep you laughing all the way through. Three home bakers who don’t exactly have the best track records of trying to master complicated recipes compete against one another by trying to recreate the elaborate and complex example that is given to them. The results are always funny, and while you have to feel bad for the bakers most of the time, it's not like they didn't know what they were getting themselves into!
#3: “The Great British Baking Show” (2010-)
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This show, which is known as “The Great British Bake Off” outside of North America, is an actual national treasure. It is delightfully British in that each episode takes place in a tent on the sprawling lawns of some countryside estate, and the contestants are all unfailingly polite to one another as they compete for pride and no money at all. You’ll also get to learn about a lot of strange British food traditions that don’t exist stateside so make yourself a cup of tea and get ready to be charmed. But, even with that UK charm, there are still those who prefer the early seasons, and the original hosts and judges. C'est la vie!
#2: “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” (2013-18)
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If you didn’t watch Anthony Bourdain’s excellent travel food show before his tragic passing in the summer of 2018, you've been granted another chance, thanks to Netflix. Though each viewing is now tinged with a bittersweet melancholy, there is still much joy in re-watching and appreciating the magic that is “Parts Unknown”. Watching Bourdain travel the world and integrate himself into the food cultures of far flung locations never gets old, and his brash and hilarious personality leads the way. Let’s be real, the only reason this doesn’t take our number one spot is that you can’t actually stream every season on Netflix. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “The Big Family Cooking Showdown” (2017-) “Sugar Rush” (2018-) “Zumbo's Just Desserts” (2016-) “The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell” (2018-) “I’ll Have What Phil’s Having” (2015-)
#1: “Chef's Table” (2015-)
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Pulling back the curtain on what goes on in high end kitchens, Netflix original series “Chef's Table” is a fan favorite for good reason. Every episode focuses on one well known chef and follows the journey that brought them to where they are today, often giving insight into how they conceptualized their most famous dishes. The show is endlessly fascinating and looks at cooks from all over the world, so there’s a lot of variety between episodes. If you’ve always dreamt of becoming a chef or are just fascinated with chef culture, this show will perfect for you.
