Whether it is teaching beginners how to use basic knife skills or showing professionals crafting edible works of art, cooking shows are popular around the world. While some people watch cooking shows to learn new tips and tricks, others watch for enjoyment.Cooking shows also offer a glance into other cultures and backgrounds around the globe. While many networks on television host a variety of these shows, they are no longer limited to just TV. Streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video host dozens of popular cooking shows. Platforms such as YouTube and Twitch also provide a platform for independent creators to showcase their own cooking shows.
9 Zumbo's Just Desserts
Zumbo’s Just Desserts is an Australian cooking competition, hosted by pastry chef Adriano Zumbo. Amateur bakers compete in a variety of challenges in the hopes of winning $100,000.
The series originally aired on Seven Network, an Australian television network, and can now be found on Netflix. Though the contestants are considered amateurs, viewers can expect to see amazing works of culinary art.
8 Chopped
Chopped is a cooking game show, hosted by Ted Allen, on Food Network. Varieties of chefs go head to head in a race against the clock with sometimes strange ingredients as they attempt to win $10,000.
Each episode consists of a three-round contest, where chefs must use unconventional and clashing ingredients to create an amazing dish. A panel of three judges tastes and critiques each appetizer, entree, and dessert before selecting a winner.
There are several special episodes and seasons for chopped including but not limited to:
- Chopped Champions - where 13 previous winners were invited to face off against each other.
- Chopped All-Stars - where sixteen chefs, from former Chopped judges to celebrities, compete.
- Chopped Grill Masters - where professional grillmasters compete.
- Teen Tournament - teen chefs compete for culinary school scholarships as well as prize money and equipment.
Seasons of Chopped can be watched on Food Network, FuboTV, Philo, Hulu Live TV, DIRECTV Stream, Prime Video, and YouTube TV.
7 Lulaboo
Lulaboo Jenkins is a Twitch Partner and Cooking Streamer who shows viewers her best cooking practices. Lulaboo cooks a variety of food from Shakshuka to Arroz Con Pollo.
Lulaboo is a home cook who has gone to culinary school and is now refining her home cooking. Viewers can look forward to a variety of delicious-looking foods, and even the occasional World of War Craft-inspired dish on the channel.
In addition to cooking, Lulaboo also participates in charity events supporting various causes, such as Girls Who Code and FCancer. Viewers can catch a cooking stream on Twitch at Lulaboo on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. They can also find previous recipes on YouTube at Lulaboo Jenkins.
6 Cooking Tree
Viewers looking for visually satisfying dishes and relaxing sounds that can only be found in a kitchen will want to watch any of the videos created by Cooking tree, a South Korean YouTube channel.
Very little is known about the chef behind Cooking tree except that they are a South Korean woman. However, the mystery adds to the experience. On the Cooking tree channel, there are a variety of stunning dishes ranging from desserts to savory meals.
Their most popular video has over 12 million views and shows viewers how to make a pastel rainbow crepe cake. Other popular recipes include condensed milk chocolate truffles, peach mouse cake, and how to make a Monte Cristo sandwich.
5 Crazy Delicious
Crazy Delicious is a British cooking competition where home cooks battle against each other in a fantasy-inspired setting. The series is hosted by Jayde Adams, with Carla Hall, Niklas Ekstedt, and Heston Blumenthal as the judges.
The set of Crazy Delicious is made of almost entirely edible ingredients that the contestants must use to create their dishes. There are edible blossoms, chocolate soil, and a drinkable stream. There is currently only one season available on Netflix.
4 Guy's Grocery Games
Four chefs will race through the aisles of a grocery store and attempt to make delicious meals in Guy’s Grocery Games. The series is hosted by Guy Fieri, who is also known for several other series on Food Network such as Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and Guy's Big Bite.
The chefs competing often face “real-world” issues that often happen in supermarkets, such as out-of-stock ingredients that require creative substitutions. Another popular challenge contestants must adapt to is being limited to five items or less.
Each round is timed and the winner must then race against the clock to find as many items on a shopping list as possible. Once time runs out the winner wins the amount of money that corresponds to the number of items they put in their cart.
Viewers can watch Guy’s Grocery Games on Food Network, Discovery Plus, Fubo TV, Sling TV, Philo, Hulu Live TV, DIRECTV Stream, Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and YouTube TV.
3 The Hunger Service
Viewers looking for a cooking show on Twitch will want to check out TheHungerService. L.A. is a Twitch Ambassador who cooks delicious and simple food. L.A. cooks a variety of food from Onigiri, four-cheese mac and cheese, and kare pan (curry bread).
The recipes don’t stop there. Popular dishes from equally popular games are also on the menu. L.A. has shared ways to make Grease Monkey Schnitzel Sandwich (Final Fantasy XV), Sakura Mochi (Genshin Impact), and even Carrot Potage (Animal Crossing: New Horizons).
In addition to making amazing dishes, he also participates in charity events supporting causes such as Starlight. Viewers can catch the stream live on Twitch on TheHungerService channel Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
2 J. Kenji López-Alt
Kenji López-Alt is an award-winning chef, who has taken to YouTube to demonstrate how to make a variety of homecooked meals. Kenji López-Alt is also the author of the bestselling cookbook The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science, and the founder of Serious Eats.
Viewers can find a variety of recipes to try out on the YouTube channel. Tamago Gohan, garlic bread pizza, and plenty of sandwiches and burgers are just a few examples. Their most popular video with over 10 million views is a late-night chorizo grilled cheese. Other popular recipes include a late-night smashed cheeseburger and The Best Roast Potatoes Ever.
1 Nailed It!
Fans of dessert competition shows will want to watch Nailed It! on Netflix. Nailed It! is a Netflix original series hosted by comedian Nicole Byer and pastry chef Jacques Torres. The series is a bake-off competition, where amateur bakers attempt to replicate complicated cakes and other desserts. The winner receives $10,000 in cash and the “Nailed It” trophy.
The show centers around cakes and desserts that many would often find on Pinterest, that when attempted, lead to hilarious fails. The guest judges also range from professional chefs to social media influencers.
There are five seasons available on Netflix, along with two spin-off holiday seasons such as Nailed It! Holiday! There are also several newer versions of the show, Nailed it! México, Nailed It! Germany, Nailed It! France, and Nailed It! Spain.