If you love eating (who doesn’t?), get ready to drool your way through the 10 best cooking shows you can binge watch now!
Cooking shows – the idea behind them is pretty simple. Whether it’s a competition or a documentary style series, there’s just something so addictive, so mouthwatering and so inspirational that makes good cooking shows so binge-worthy. Whether your skills are at an average level, you’re a beginner or even if you’re a chef, these popular cooking shows allow you to sit back and relax as you’re brought along for the journey. Or, in this case, the hard work. Whether you’re watching on Netflix, Youtube, Stan or TV, these are all truly delicious.
So grab your pen, paper and possibly even a glass of wine, as we take you through the 10 best cooking shows you need to binge watch now:
Cake Boss. Cakehouse Media. Image via imdb
Cake Boss
They say that you can’t have your cake and eat it too. But with Cake Boss, we say why not? Based in New Jersey, Cake Boss follows celebrity chef Buddy Valastro and his family-owned and operated bakery, Carlo’s Bake Shop. Accompanied by the help of his mother and four sisters, this Italian-American family creates out of this world cakes and pastries. Jaw-dropping and mouth-watering to say the least, sit back, relax and watch Cake Boss do all the hard work as they create everything from giant hot dogs cakes, slurpees, Christmas trees and even life-sized mermaids.
Chef's Table. Boardwalk Pictures. Netflix. Image via imdb
Chef's Table
From Los Angeles to Mexico, Peru, Argentina, South Korea and even Melbourne Australia, Chef’s Table transports viewers on a round-the-world food extravaganza trip from the comfort of their couch. The Netflix original, Emmy-nominated series is now in its sixth season. Chef’s Table travels to each continent in hopes to share the stories, inspirations and unique styles behind some of the world’s most renowned chefs. Here, viewers will have a first-hand view into how each of the restaurants create their awe-inspiring creations and what it takes to be a culinary masterminds.
Cooked with Cannabis. Netflix. Image via imdb
Cooked with Cannabis
If you’re looking for something a bit different from the regular binge-worthy cooking shows, Cooked with Cannabis might be just the show to take you off piste. Available to stream on Netflix, Cooked with Cannabis is all about, you guessed it, cooking with cannabis. Co-hosted by American singer Kelis (Milkshake – Tasty 2003) and actor Leather Storrs, Cooked with Cannabis challenges three chefs to create cannabis-infused meals using THC infusions and CBD sauces all for a change to win $10,000 and of course, a couple of laughs.
The French Chef. WGBH. Image via imdb
The French Chef
If you fell in love with the 2009 film Julie & Julia or the 2005 book of the same name, prepare to get lost in the original from which they drew the inspiration, The French Chef. Released in 1963 and airing for 10 years, The French Chef was hosted by none other than American cooking teacher, author and television personality Julia Child. Renowned for her simplistic teaching methods of the French cuisine, Julia is also recognised for her work behind the two-volume French cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. With eight seasons available on Amazon Prime, don’t forget a pen and paper to take down notes!
The Great British Bake Off. Love Productions. Image via imdb
The Great British Bake Off
When it comes to baking, there’s just something about The Great British Bake Off that we cannot resist. Hosted by (in turn) Mel Giedroyc, Sue Perkins, Sandi Toksvig and British comedian Noel Fielding (The It Crowd and Disenchantment), The Great British Bake Off tests a range of skilful home bakers (most recently the cast of Derry Girls) to compete against each other to prove their baking skills and claim the title of Britain’s best amateur baker. With over 10 seasons available on Foxtel Go, this is the television series where you sit back with a cup of tea and let the contestants do the hard work.
Junior MasterChef Australia. Network 10. Image via imbd
Junior MasterChef Australia
We’re not going to judge you for your lack of basic food skills. But, after watching MasterChef Junior, I think we can admit that if a nine-year-old child can make a Lamb Wellington or even Jaffa Mousse, you might want to try something other than two-minute noodles, (just a suggestion)! First airing in 2011 and now available to stream online via 10play, Junior MasterChef will take you on a journey with a range of aspiring cooks aged between eight and 13 to compete for the title of Australia’s Junior MasterChef. It’s cute, it’s competitive, it’s delicious and it’s feel-good (before you realise that you’re a failed cook).
Nailed It. The Magical Elves. Netflix. Image via imdb
Nailed It!
If you thought that your cooking skills were bad, Nailed It! will prove that you’re probably not that bad after all… Hosted by Nicole Byer and accompanied by pastry chef and chocolatier, Jacques Torres, this Netflix original series will have you in tears of laughter watching a plethora of amateur cooks recreate ridiculously advanced creations. From Donald Trump cakes to bubbling volcanoes, gravity-defying masterpieces and even Christmas-inspired cookies and gingerbread houses, Nailed It! has it all. Warning: creations are harder than they appear – prepare yourself for a shock if you do decide to recreate them at home.
Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares. ITV Studios. Image via imdb
Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares
The man, the myth, the legend. For 10 years and five seasons, British chef, restaurateur, writer, television personality and winner of 16 Michelin stars, Gordon Ramsay, has been churning out Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares in hopes to better the hospitality industry. Touring America and Europe throughout this series, viewers will embark on a journey with Gordon Ramsay visiting restaurants that are on the verge of shutting down – and after watching, it’s not hard to understand why. Offering solutions to help rebuild their fame, Ramsay will raid the kitchen, taste-test some cringeworthy dishes and even offer interior solutions. If you’re ready to cringe, laugh and even shed a few tears, Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares is the perfect watch for you.
Salt Fat Acid Heat. Jigsaw Pictures. Netflix. Image via imdb
SALT FAT ACID HEAT
If, like us, you’re a lover of food, you’ve probably wondered what the secret is to making delicious meals so delicious. Cue SALT FAT ACID HEAT. Hosted by chef and food writer Samin Nosrat and based on her award-winning book of the same name, here Samin travels around the world to explore the principles of what makes food so fantastic. This limited Netflix original series travels with Samin to Italy, southern islands of Japan, Yucatán and even California, where she began her career. With only four episodes in the single series, you can easily binge-watch this one on a lazy Sunday in.
Zumbo's Just Desserts. Seven Network. Netflix. Image via imdb
Zumbo's Just Desserts
You might have tasted his renowned macaroons or even indulged in one of his meticulous tasty creations, but, have you ever witnessed the hard work that goes into creating a dessert that, put simply, just isn’t supposed to work? This is where Zumbo’s Just Desserts steps in. Led by Australian pâtissier and chef Adriano Zumbo and accompanied by British cook and writer Rachel Koo, Zumbo’s Just Desserts is a reality food competition series that allows amateur cooks to create some of Zumbo’s renowned desserts to win the title. Whether you’re a cook or not, we can assure you that Zumbo’s Just Desserts will surely sugar-hit you with some inspiration.
Needing some more inspiration to get you cooking? We’ve got the 11 Best Digital Cooking Books for you to download. Plus, check out all of our recipes available online – Heirloom Tomato Shakshuka and Maple Baked Bananas are easier than they sound!
