Everyone needs to eat. Some people, however, enjoy cooking while others are content to watch somebody else prepare a meal. Thanks to networks like the Cooking Channel and Food Network, a wide spectrum of food-related content has been readily available for years, with personalities like Emeril Lagasse, Rachael Ray and Bobby Flay becoming household staples for food lovers.
With Netflix's meteoric rise as a digital streaming platform, food fans now have access to an even greater arsenal of content: from stunning visual documentaries following world renowned chefs, to more humble offerings following local foodies around their kitchen, it seems that Netflix has something for every die-hard food lover. Here are some of the best examples.
Chef's Table Provides Stunning Visuals and Incredible Stories
There's no arguing: Chef's Table is one of the most beautifully-shot food shows on the market right now. Sometimes taking months at a time to shoot a single episode, Chef's Table takes an in-depth look into the lives of chefs from all around the world.From Michelin-starred restaurants in Chicago to an actual monastery in Korea, Chef's Table provides excellent insight into cuisine from all over the world while also sharing the incredible stories of the people behind the food.
The Chef Show Continues the Fun of Its Predecessor
When Chef first hit theaters in 2014, food fans and industry professionals named it as one of the most accurate food-centered offerings ever made, largely thanks to director and star Jon Favreau training with real-life chef-turned Food Truck operator Roy Choi. Chef was a massive success, boasting a star-studded cast (including Dustin Hoffman, Sophia Vergara and Scarlett Johansson) and incredible cinematography, and fans were thrilled with the release of its docu-series counterpart: The Chef Show.
The Chef Show explores some of the most buzzed-about dishes featured in the movie, following Favreau and Choi in their test kitchen sharing stories about the production of the film and fun anecdotes from the time they spent making it. Featuring fun cameos from other food-content stars like Andrew Rea (Binging with Babish) and mega-stars Robert Downey Jr. and Tom Holland, The Chef Show is lighthearted, easy to watch, and filled with some downright delicious-looking recipes.
Salt Fat Acid Heat Dives Into the Science of What Makes Food Delicious
For fans who love the laid-back style of Food Network-hosted cooking shows, an offering within the same vein on Netflix is Salt Fat Acid Heat. Based on the book of the same name and hosted by Samin Nosrat, a cook, teacher and author, this bright and colorful show dives into the four main points that every successful cook should be able to master and balance: salt, fat, acid and heat. When creating any dish, it's important for home cooks to learn how to balance different flavor profiles to get the most out of their food, and Samin does such an excellent job at teaching that she makes cooking seem like a breeze. Salt Fat Acid Heat is definitely a must-watch for food fans who want to improve their skills while also enjoying an easy and fun program.
Somebody Feed Phil, Please
Funny man Phil Rosenthal, creator of beloved sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, travels around the world with his friends and family, meeting unique individuals and sharing their culture through their food. The theme song is catchy, the food delicious and the stories are heartfelt and inspiring. Plus, the look of sheer joy and excitement on Phil's face every time he puts something delicious in his mouth is so pure and sweet that this man must be protected at all costs. Somebody Feed Phil is the show for food and travel fans alike, with the perfect mix of heart, humor and cuisine.
Ugly Delicious Tackles Cultural Barriers Around the World
Another food/travel offering, Ugly Delicious follows James-Beard award-winning chef David Chang around the world as he interacts with various chefs, activists and writers to discover the roots and origins of food in different cultures as well as discussing cultural barriers and misconceptions. Ugly Delicious combines food with history, making for a unique viewing experience that provides both delicious dishes and also funny and heartwarming anecdotes from local chefs from all over the world. Featuring special guests such as Jimmy Kimmel and Nick Kroll, Ugly Delicious is a bit crass, as the name suggests, but still a stellar offering showing that the road to success in the food industry is not as easy as some may make it out to be.
From the stunning visuals of Chef's Table to the upbeat Chef Show, Netflix has something for every food fan. Whether viewers are looking for an easy watch to throw on in the background or an in-depth tutorial, the streaming giant is nowhere near short of food-centered offerings to provide laughs, heart and amazing cuisine.