Of all the different genres of media you can stream, there’s something about kicking back and watching chefs of all different skill sets duke it out in the culinary arena that gets us excited. It’s like watching modern-day gladiators fighting for the throne, except instead of maiming each other, they’re running around the kitchen at warp speed and playing with fire. Chefs are artists, burying themselves in a canvas of porcelain painting with ingredients and showing us not only how to make the classics with needlepoint precision but also what food can actually become.
Even if you’re not into all the drama of culinary competitions, there’s something soothing about watching someone else move around a kitchen with ease, teaching you how to make a textbook-perfect roast or sharing a recipe that promises to get dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes. Whatever you’re craving, if you’re looking for your new favorite cooking show, we’ve rounded up 21 of the best streaming right now, along with where to watch them.
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The 21 Best Food and Cooking Shows to Stream Right Now
1. Pati’s Mexican Table (PBS)
You might not be familiar with Patti Jinich, but you definitely should be. The former political analyst turned three-time James Beard Award-winning host of PBS television series Pati’s Mexican Table, and the PBS primetime docuseries La Frontera, has been helping educate people about the vast world of Mexican food for nearly two decades. Her show uses food as a vehicle to immerse viewers in Mexico’s rich history and culture. You can catch it on Amazon Prime with a subscription or PBS for free.
2. Global Soul Kitchen (Tubi)
Chef Deborah VanTrece knows a thing or two about soul food, but instead of sticking to the dishes we’ve come to know and love, she combines them with global influences. Highlights include her luscious duck schnitzel with sweet potato waffles and a Deep South bouillabaisse. You can catch Global Soul Kitchen on Hulu and Tubi.
3. Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street (Tubi)
Not that he needs an introduction, but Chris Kimball, one of the founders of America’s Test Kitchen and Cook’s Country, has been influencing the way we cook for years. His dedication to learning techniques and then taking them to their nth degree has helped create a generation of home cooks that can turn out dishes worthy of having a place on a restaurant menu. In addition to his podcast, restaurant and cooking classes, you can check out Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street on Tubi or follow along on YouTube.
4. Cooked (Netflix)
This isn’t necessarily a new show, but if you’ve never seen it, it’s definitely worth adding to your list. Based on the book of the same name, Cooked follows author Michael Pollan as he explores food past and present through the lens of the four elements—fire, earth, air and water. It’s deeply insightful and visually interesting enough to binge over the weekend.
5. Salt Fat Acid Heat (Netflix)
Samin Nosrat loves food. You can tell by the way she talks about it and just how excited she gets when she tries 40-month-old red cow Parmesan. A great dish for Samin must have salt, fat, acid, and heat, and she explores each one over the four-episode docuseries. You can stream them all on Netflix, and make sure to grab a copy of her book by the same name to follow along.
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6. Alton Brown Cooks Food (YouTube)
Although you won’t find Alton Brown on Food Network anymore, the geeky chef known for teaching us all the science behind the Maillard reaction on Good Eats spends his time these days cooking up mouthwatering dishes on YouTube. Alton Brown Cooks Food features the host doing what he does best from the comfort of home, and you can follow along each week as he tackles things like making booze, tackles breakfast noodles and prepares a standing rib roast.
7. America’s Culinary Cup (Paramount+)
When culinary icon Padma Lakshmi announced that she’d be gracing our screens again as the host of yet another cooking competition, we could almost feel the Earth shift on its axis. Although America’s Culinary Cup just premiered on March 4, the groundbreaking culinary competition has already generated glowing reviews from fans who have tuned in for the first episode. It might be similar to (and directly competing with) Top Chef, but this new series is anything but. And did we mention the cash prize is set at a whopping $1 million? We can’t wait to see what unfolds. You can catch the new show on Wednesdays at 9:30 pm on Paramount+.
8. Top Chef (Peacock)
As far as culinary competitions go, there isn’t one more iconic than Top Chef. It’s the proving ground for scrappy chefs who have something to prove, and it makes for some really great TV. Each season, a new lineup of chefs from across the country competes more for bragging rights than anything else, and they do it with an excessive amount of style. This season, the cheftestants are headed to the Carolinas, and you can follow along on Peacock.
9. Wildcard Kitchen (HBO Max)
Every now and then, a show comes along that completely challenges the formula we’ve come to expect from a cooking show, and Wildcard Kitchen does exactly that. It feels like being a fly on the wall, watching chefs in their natural habitat. The premise is simple. Each chef gets a certain amount of cash and can use that cash to bet on their odds of winning a round. The catch is that their fate lies in a deck of cards that can either help or hurt them in wild and wacky ways. It’s one of the most exciting shows we’ve seen in a long time. Season 3 is streaming now on HBO Max.
10. Next Level Chef (Hulu)
Among the crowded field of gimmicky cooking competitions, Next Level Chef stands out for its endless innovation. The formula just works. Cooks are given the chance to cook in one of three kitchens, each equipped according to their position, with the basement being the worst and the top level being the creme de la creme. A moving platform with themed ingredients descends to each kitchen, and contestants have seconds to grab as many ingredients as they can to make a restaurant-quality dish. It’s chaos in the best way, and we can’t get enough. You can watch the newest season now on Hulu.
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11. Next Gen Chef (Netflix)
Although there’s only one season so far, Next Gen Chef has generated a dedicated fan base thanks to an endearing format that makes you cheer for the underdog. Up-and-coming young chefs, either fresh out of culinary school or working in a restaurant, showcase their skills for a panel of judges in hopes of being named the next big thing and winning the prize of $500,000. It’s the perfect show to binge on the weekend. Follow along on Netflix.
12. Tournament of Champions (HBO Max)
Odds are you’re already well aware that Tournament of Champions is one of the greatest shows on television, but if you’re not, you should definitely add it to your list. It’s like if rock and roll were a cooking show instead of a music genre. Guy Fieri is at his peak despite this being one of several competition shows he hosts, and it doesn’t hurt that the contestants are among the culinary world’s most decorated chefs.
13. Pressure Cooker (Netflix)
As someone who made it through every episode of Pressure Cooker in one day, we didn’t talk about this show enough. It’s a masterpiece of culinary television. Eleven chefs competing for $100,000, all living under one roof, essentially conduct the competition themselves. They are the contestants as well as the judges, and the setup makes for some pretty dramatic cliffhangers. You’ll never be able to tell where the show is going, and that’s what makes it amazing. Here’s hoping Netflix renews it for a second season.
14. School of Chocolate (Netflix)
Although you might not know his name, you’ve definitely seen one of Amaury Guichon’s breathtaking chocolate creations on social media. He’s a magician with chocolate, and his creations are truly mind-boggling. His Netflix show, School of Chocolate, gives aspiring chocolatiers a chance to learn his secrets and compete for a life-changing prize package that includes a $50,000 cash prize.
15. Culinary Class Wars (Netflix)
Culinary Class Wars is one of those shows that might seem unassuming at first, but once you get into it, you can’t stop watching. It’s a showcase of culinary expertise where chefs display mind-boggling techniques to create dishes that truly deserve to be placed in a museum. It’s exciting, unpredictable, and well worth the watch. You can stream all of season one and two on Netflix.
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16. 24 in 24 (HBO Max)
We never thought we’d see the day that a cooking show would make 24 chefs compete in 24 intense challenges across 24 hours without any breaks. It’s a culinary gauntlet like no other, and it’s definitely not for the weak. 24 in 24 isn’t for the faint of heart, and the chef competing clearly has something to prove. Season one and two are streaming on HBO Max, but be warned, you might get addicted.
17. Great British Baking Show (Netflix)
When it comes to feel-good shows, there’s nothing more comforting than cozying up and watching The Great British Baking Show. It’s a competition, sure, but it’s the most polite competition we’ve ever seen. Not that there isn’t some drama, but it usually has more to do with someone’s bake not turning out than anything else. Consider this your sign to rewatch it on Netflix.
18. High on the Hog (Netflix)
Watching High on the Hog for the first time felt like coming home. The show, hosted by food writer Stephen Satterfield, traces the origins of African-American cuisine from its roots to today. It’s topical and informative, almost like watching an anthropologist work. Although yours truly has seen it several times, it’s safe to say we’ll be watching it again this weekend. You can check out all episodes on Netflix.
19. The Food That Built America (Hulu)
If your idea of relaxing is nerding out and learning all there is to know about the major brands that have shaped American cuisine, then The Food That Built America is perfect for you. The series produced by National Geographic tells the stories of some of the biggest names in food, including Jack Daniel’s, Russel Stover and Folgers. You can catch season six now on Hulu.
20. Somebody Feed Phil (Netflix)
Whenever we’re in the mood to escape our reality and tune out all the noise, Somebody Feed Phil is our go-to show to watch. Famed TV writer Phil Rosenthal immerses viewers in places like Tokyo, Boston, Amsterdam and Spain. It’s the perfect mix of comedy, reverence and cultural immersion, worth curling up on the couch to watch. Stream all eight seasons now on Netflix.
21. Thirst with Shay Mitchell (HBO Max)
Technically, Thirst with Shay Mitchell is more of a show about drinks, but you can’t have drinks without food, and Shay enjoys plenty while she travels across South America to learn all there is to know about the beverages of the region. Whether she’s trying an actual guinea pig in Peru or experiencing the nightlife in Argentina, there’s plenty of reason to add this show to your watch list. You can check it out on HBO Max.
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