3 Of Our Favourite Food Shows From 2022
Whether you’re searching for inspiration for your cooking, want to learn some new skills from professional chefs, or just fancy curling up on the sofa with a cuppa and your favourite snacks, there’s nothing that hits the spot quite like a cooking show.
From cooking competitions to baking challenges, world food and travel, and celebrity chef-led programmes from the greats, there is a cooking show for every taste and mood.
With the rise of a wide variety of streaming channels, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, we have more choice of cooking shows than ever before – and in a wide variety of different styles. There’s the choice of action-packed, heated competitions, and shows which demonstrate the high-pressure nature of being a chef, such as Masterchef, to warm and fuzzy comfort shows such as the Great British Baking Show, and adventurous tours around the globe showing the incredible diversity of cuisines and cultures around the world.
And there are shows which emphasise the creativity of the cooking process, and shows that focus on the science and technique of preparing food. So whatever your mood, get comfy and put your feet up with these culinary television treats!
1. Masterchef
Available on: BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, Hulu Plus, Sky
Masterchef is one of the world’s largest televised cooking competitions, with many variations on the theme, including Celebrity Masterchef, Masterchef: The Professionals, Junior Masterchef, and national Masterchef from many countries around the globe, including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Canada, China, and Singapore.
This suspenseful cooking show focuses not only on the competitive element, but also demonstrates many of the masterful techniques that chefs use to perfect their recipes and create dishes which are true works of art.
Each national competition takes a different approach to its presentation and the techniques used, with a serious, technical approach taken in the UK, in contrast to the lighthearted and supportive atmosphere of Australian Masterchef, and the adventurous and sustainable local ingredients and traditional dishes of South Africa.
Masterchef is a thrilling competition which highlights the signature styles of cuisines around the globe, and the variety of professional and amateur chefs who are passionate about the food they create. Easy to binge-watch, and truly addictive, Masterchef is a refreshing take on the food competition genre.
2. The Great British Bake Off
Available on: All 4, Netflix
If you want a competition with a more supportive approach and less of a hard competitive atmosphere, The Great British Bake Off may be the cooking show for you. The Great British Bake Off keeps you guessing who the winner will be, while keeping the environment gentle and lightly humorous. The contestants are always supportive of each other, and unlike many competitions, there is minimal drama or conflict, making it a comforting show to watch when you need something just a little more uplifting.
Each week there are three rounds: the signature bake, in which the contestants choose their favourite recipe to present to the judges for a personal approach, the technical, which allows them to refine their skills and learn new techniques, and the showstopper, in which the contestants come up with their own creative ideas to impress the judges.
Like Masterchef, the Great British Bake Off has spread its influence across the globe, with adaptations from countries such as Canada and Australia. Featured on the show are several expert judges, including Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, Mary Berry, and Maggie Beer, and wackily comedic presenters, currently Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas.
So if you’re looking for something comforting to warm you up throughout the winter months, why not give the Bake Off a go?
3. Gordon, Gino And Fred’s Road Trip
Available on: ITVX, Hulu Plus, Amazon Prime Video
Half travel, half food, Gordon Ramsay puts aside his ‘tough-guy’ persona in this boys’ foodie road trip, featuring Gino D’Acampo and Fred Sirieix.
They explore the culture and cuisine of a range of countries, from Italy, Greece, Finland, Lapland, Morocco, and the USA, all the while challenging each other to side-splittingly funny competitions and dares, such as swimming in ice water in Finland, going lobster diving, snake handling, and of course, mastering the traditional dishes of the countries they visit.
The road trip shows off Ramsay’s rarely-seen sense of humour, and the sense of camaraderie between the celebrity chefs and master maitre d’ Fred Sirieix is palpable, giving a refreshing insight into their friendship.
With a light and humorous touch, and diving headfirst into each culture they encounter, this show is an entertaining yet insightful view of food around the world. The trio develop bonds with locals in all the countries they visit, and get involved with local traditions, embracing the culture and spirit of each global destination.
Light and fun, this show will brighten up your evening with a touch of culture and many laughs!
