TV The 20 best cooking shows on Netflix The big red streamer offers a vast menu of delicious fare. By Debby Wolfinsohn Updated on August 12, 2024 09:03AM EDT Paul Hollywood on 'The Great British Baking Show'; Mikey Day on 'Is It Cake?'; Tim Raue on 'Chef’s Table'. Photo: Courtesy of Netflix (2); Tobias Koch/Netflix Barbecue season is here and Netflix is grilling up a big, juicy plate of cooking content. The way to a person's heart is through their stomach, and you will fall in love with these food-focused series. Offering both ebullient entertainment (see: Is It Cake?) as well as educated edible analysis (see: The Great British Baking Show and Somebody Feed Phil) Netflix holds a special place in the hearts of home cooks and food enthusiasts alike. So, unhinge your jaw and prepare to ingest some premium content: It's time to chow down on EW's list of the 20 best cooking shows on Netflix. 01 of 20 Bake Squad (2021–present) 'Bake Squad'. Courtesy of Netflix Bake Squad puts the spotlight on talent, and while there is an element of "competition" (the client has to choose one of the creations), it's all very good-natured. Led by a respected figure in the cooking world (author, baker, and Milk Bar founder Christina Tosi) the Squad is made up of four amazingly artistic, wholly unique bakers creating awesome feats of flour, butter, and sugar. An exploding cake? Yes! A floating cake? Why not? How about a life-sized chocolate piano, or a giant chocolate dragon egg, or a supersized smash cake? Let's do this! Watching this show feels like hanging out in the kitchen at a really cool bakery, spying on all of the mind-blowingly elaborate techniques. Truly, no idea is too crazy for Bake Squad, and we love them for it. Where to watch Bake Squad: Netflix Cast: Christina Tosi, Maya-Camille Broussard, Ashley Holt, Gonzo Jimenez, Christophe Rull 02 of 20 Best Leftovers Ever! (2020) 'Best Leftovers Ever!'. Courtesy of Netflix A makeover show for leftovers? We can get behind that. Now, a show all about those bits and bobs left in your fridge from last night might not seem like the most highbrow offering on the Netflix cooking show menu, but it just might be the most important. Why? Well, as you probably know, billions of pounds of food is wasted every year in the United States alone — but not if Best Leftovers Ever can help it. Hosted by actress Jackie Tohn (Melanie "MelRose" Rosen of GLOW), creativity rules here, whether you're turning dinner into breakfast, kid's meals into cocktail apps, or Mexican fare into…gnocchi? By amping up the flavor and presentation, the revolving cast of enthusiastic competitors (an assortment of real folks, from home cooks to personal chefs, battling for a $10,000 prize) really does manage to transform fridge-chilled blah to restaurant-ready yum. Where to watch Best Leftovers Ever!: Netflix Cast: Jackie Tohn, David So, Rosemary Shrager 03 of 20 Breakfast Lunch, & Dinner (2019) Seth Rogen and David Chang on 'Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner'. Courtesy of Netflix Noodles with Weird Barbie (Kate McKinnon) in Cambodia? Couscous with Chrissy Teigen in Marrakesh? Yes, please! This show is a slightly decadent and occasionally ridiculous pleasure, like traveling with a true friend. No stress, no drama, no worries about calorie counts, and no pressure to learn stuff. In fact, one of the first things Teigen says upon greeting host David Chang in her (amazing) Moroccan villa is "I shall teach you…no, I won't." And while Chang + celebrity guest + traveling to a fabulous destination while eating tons of delicious food might have been a clever way to get Netflix to pay for some glam R and R (kidding?), we don't mind one bit, because the result (four jam-packed episodes) is pure escapist fun. Where to watch Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner: Netflix Cast: David Chang, Seth Rogen, Chrissy Teigen, Lena Waithe, Kate McKinnon Chrissy Teigen, Kate McKinnon, more stars go on global eating tour in Netflix food series 04 of 20 The Chef Show (2019–present) Jon Favreau (center left) on 'The Chef Show'. Courtesy of Netflix We admit it: The Chef Show gives us the warm fuzzies. Effortlessly transferring the 2014 movie Chef's look, feel, color palette, and heart from the big to the small screen, producer and star Jon Favreau connects food to friendship in every frame. Reuniting with his buddy and producing partner, Roy Choi (whose fusion taco truck, Kogi, served as Chef's inspo), this series feels like a true labor of love. Choi, a creative wizard who taught Favreau how to cook like a pro for the film (bringing him up to speed on everything from knife skills to prep to finishing touches), shares the screen with the actor on all sorts of culinary adventures, from baking bread at Tartine to assembling a giant lasagna. The Chef Show is like a food-series-meets-buddy-comedy, and the result is as irresistible as their famous grilled cheese. Where to watch The Chef Show: Netflix Cast: Jon Favreau, Roy Choi Watch Seth Rogen attempt to cook chicken in The Chef Show clip 05 of 20 Chef's Table (2015–2019) 'Chef's Table'. Netflix An essential staple in any foodie's streaming pantry, Chef's Table is known for stunningly shot in-depth episodes focusing on fantastic fare — and the lives of the cooks who create it. Following one chef per episode, our writer called this globe-spanning series the "gold standard" of cooking shows, "presenting gorgeous dishes and ingredients with sumptuous cinematography that makes every culinary creation look like a beautiful work of art." Chef's Table has spawned many spin-offs as well, from barbecue to French cuisine. In other words, this Netflix original series makes for perfect dinner-time viewing, whether you're eating cold pizza or a four-course meal. Where to watch Chef's Table: Netflix Cast: Massimo Bottura, Dan Barber, Francis Mallmann, Niki Nakayama Pie, oh, pie! Fire up the trailer for Chef’s Table: Pizza 06 of 20 Flavorful Origins (2020–present) 'Flavorful Origins'. Netflix Remember what we said about Netflix taking a serious approach to cooking shows? Exhibit A would have to be Flavorful Origins. Spanning 40 episodes across three seasons, this Chinese docuseries goes deep, y'all. And you can forget about sweet 'n sour anything; this is a crash course in authentic Chinese cuisine, though the episode names ("Gluten," "Mutton," "Cooked Chopped Entrails of Sheep," "Tofu Cake," etc.) probably gave this away. The seasons are divided by region ("Chaoshan," "Yunnan," "Gansu") and feel like traveling across China with a knowledgeable guide. A mini cooking school via quick-hit sub-15-minute episodes, this subtitled dive into the awe-inspiring varieties of the nation's food is doggedly un-commercial and a total treat. Where to watch Flavorful Origins: Netflix Cast: Yang Chen, Hao Chen, Vivian Lu 07 of 20 Fresh Fried and Crispy (2021) 'Fresh Fried and Crispy'. Courtesy of Netflix Impressively bearded, irrepressibly charming, and absolutely willing to take giant bites of uber-crunchy food on camera, Daym Drops is the host with the most enthusiasm. This YouTuber turned Netflix food fanatic travels the U.S. in pursuit of the best in fried fare, sampling heart-stopping delicacies like fried mac 'n cheese, fried Oreos, and something called a "Whale Burger" (which we're not sure we even want to know about). Drops isn't just super funny, he's fearless, too. Watching him bravely bite into a deep-fried "Rocky Mountain Oyster" (if you know, you know) on the "Denver" episode is truly squirm-inducing fun. Where to watch Fresh Fried and Crispy: Netflix Cast: Daym Drops 08 of 20 The Great British Baking Show (2010–present) (From left to right) Paul Hollywood, Alison Hammond, Prue Leith, and Noel Fielding of 'The Great British Baking Show'. Mark Bourdillon/Netflix From its origins on BBC to its first American spot (PBS) to its current home on Netflix, everyone's favorite U.K. import continues to highlight British culinary curiosities (Devonshire Splits, Bakewell Tarts, Maids of Honour?) along with the inherent magic of turning basic ingredients into art — and things have only gotten tastier as the series continues. Because while Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith are still judges (if it ain't broke…), Matt Lucas has been replaced by beloved British morning show host Alison Hammond (known for completely disarming Harrison Ford). P.S.: the chemistry between Hammond and cohost Noel Fielding is like a Victoria Sponge with extra cream, which is to say, perfect. Where to watch The Great British Baking Show: Netflix Cast: Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, Alison Hammond, Noel Fielding The best British shows on Netflix 09 of 20 Iron Chef: Quest For an Iron Legend (2022) 'Iron Chef: Quest For an Iron Legend'. Patrick Wymore/Netflix Who will win the Golden Knife? This Netflix reboot of the Food Network staple proves that Iron Chefs never die, they just get resurrected. Famed host/writer/nerd Alton Brown again takes the reins alongside Top Chef champ Kristen Kish and actor/martial artist Mark Dacascos (returning as "the Chairman") for play-by-plays, oohing and aahing as celebrity chefs face off against, uh, regular ones. And, yes, this batch of Iron Chefs is on fire: Gabriela Cámara, Curtis Stone, and Dominique Crenn bring stellar credentials from around the globe alongside legendary restaurateur/best-selling author Marcus Samuelsson and one of the OG PBS chefs, Ming Tsai. Together, they bring the noise to Kitchen Stadium once more. Where to watch Iron Chef: The Quest For an Iron Legend: Netflix Cast: Alton Brown, Kristen Kish, Mark Dacascos Meet the 5 new Iron Chefs taking over Kitchen Stadium in Netflix's reboot 10 of 20 Is It Cake? (2022–present) 'Is It Cake?'. Courtesy of Netflix Yet another successful meme-to-series transformation (see: Nailed It! ), Is It Cake? scratches our itch for fun while serving up major eye candy…make that eye cake (which admittedly doesn't roll off the tongue as well). Edible optical illusions taken to the Nth degree, this show is an invitation to marvel at an elite force of skilled bakers pulling off the impossible: Disguising dessert as a roll of toilet paper? A shoe? A cash register with money sticking out of it? Yup, and it's all made out of cake! This is the kind of show you have to see to believe (again, the cash register, guys), and when you do see it, you won't be able to look away. Even if you start yelling something along the lines of "NO WAY!" at the screen, it's okay. We get it. With his mix of aw-shucks sincerity and a slightly sinister grin, Saturday Night Live cast member Mikey Day is the ideal host for such bizarre (yet tasty) proceedings. A third season is now streaming. Where to watch Is It Cake?: Netflix Cast: Mikey Day Shocking judging fail on Netflix's Is It Cake, Too? leads to emotional elimination: 'Let's shake that off' 11 of 20 K Food Show (2022–present) 'K Food Show'. Netflix Divided into three "seasons" (series?) with just two or three episodes in each installment, this is an incredibly mouth-watering cooking show that we have trouble watching on an empty stomach. Each "season" focuses on a different Korean delicacy (A Nation of Kimchi, A Nation of Banchan, and A Nation of Broth), allocating time to fully explore each. And even though kimchi alone — with its rich history, array of techniques, and variations — is worthy of an epic four-hour feature film, these two sub-60-minute episodes will have to do. K Food Show is a beautiful travelogue of a fascinating country with some seriously incredible food, and watching it is like taking a dream vacation without ever leaving home. Where to watch K Food Show: Netflix Cast: Huh Young-man, Ham Yon-ji, Ryu Soo-young 12 of 20 Nadiya's Time to Eat (2019) Nadiya Hussain on 'Nadiya’s Time to Eat'. Netflix Cookbook author Nadiya Hussain, a Great British Baking Show winner, is not just a warm, friendly, creative force in the kitchen, she's also an incredibly soothing presence for new cooks. Time to Eat is the kind of show that not only makes you think, "Hey, I could do that," but "Hey, I WANT to do that," presenting a series of healthy and surprising dishes that are both mouth-watering and super cool (peanut chicken traybake and ingenious noodles in a jar are just two examples). Hussain, unlike some TV chefs (who shall not be named), never forgets that real home cooks have time-crunched lives, needing to fit meal prep somewhere between jobs, school, commutes, chores, and everything else. Parents (and all busy folks!) around the world owe her a standing ovation. Where to watch Nadiya's Time to Eat: Netflix Cast: Nadiya Hussain 13 of 20 Nailed It! (2018–present) 'Nailed It!'. Courtesy of NETFLIX Part comedy, part baking show, and 100 percent unbridled silliness, Nailed It! was the first show to spring from a popular Pinterest meme: In this case, home bakers posting snaps of their extremely messed-up creations alongside their inspirations, summing up the ridiculousness of the entire Martha Stewart era in one neat moment. Not to get philosophical, but in these broken and crumbling creations, do we perhaps see…ourselves? Setting impossibly high standards, trying our best, and failing publicly? Observing DIYers attempt ridiculously complex challenges and with lackluster results isn't just funny, it's also inspiring. (We raise our flour-dusted fists in solidarity.) Because if the show was simply about laughing at people's screw-ups, it would be like biting into one of the dried-out layer cakes the contestants serve to the judges — a tough sell. Enter comedian (and non-baker) Nicole Byer (and her pal, real-life pastry genius Jacques Torres), bringing the necessary warmth needed to set the right tone. Byer's willingness to laugh without coming off as cruel is key to the show's success. Where to watch Nailed It!: Netflix Cast: Nicole Byer, Jacques Torres, Weston Bahr Nicole Byer shares racist comedy club experience: 'Blew my mind' 14 of 20 Salt Fat Acid Heat (2018) Samin Nosrat on 'Salt Fat Acid Heat'. Netflix Host/cook/author Samin Nosrat's opening statement, "I've spent my entire life in pursuit of flavor," serves as the guiding principle for every moment that follows. Nosrat's brilliantly clear idea — breaking down cooking into four essential elements (the salt, fat, acid, and heat of the title) — is one of those masterful concepts so perfect that you wonder where it's been all your life. Understand these principles and bam, you've unlocked the secret to exceptional meals. So if you're a newbie, clueless, bored, or simply mystified about the whole "cooking" thing, you owe it to yourself to check this out. One of the shining jewels in the Netflix foodie crown, we give this program (and Nosrat) all the Michelin stars. Where to watch Salt Fat Acid Heat: Netflix Cast: Samin Nosrat Samin Nosrat's Salt Fat Acid Heat honors the culinary importance of grandmas 15 of 20 Somebody Feed Phil (2018–present) Phil Rosenthal on 'Somebody Feed Phil'. Courtesy of NETFLIX It may not sound like much on paper — a middle-aged Hollywood producer (Everybody Loves Raymond, among others) wanders the world, eating. But there's just something about Phil Rosenthal that makes him an ideal host. Is it his personable, big-hearted, and curious nature? Or his wide-eyed pleasure over the deliciousness of whatever he's eating? No matter the reason, the effect is life-affirming humble charm, with the show devoting a large chunk of time to local charities while showcasing Rosenthal's boundless enthusiasm for every taste, sight, and cultural tidbit from his destinations (Austin to Croatia, Seoul to London). Comedy cameos from his pals (Ray Romano, Patton Oswalt, Allison Janney, the late Paul Reubens) are icing on the cake along with a healthy helping of humor. Where to watch Somebody Feed Phil: Netflix Cast: Phil Rosenthal From baked goods to bugs, Phil Rosenthal talks Somebody Feed Phil 16 of 20 Street Food (2019–2022) 'Street Food'. Courtesy of Netflix If you've ever dreamed of eating your way across the world (guilty as charged), Street Food has got you covered. From O'ahu to Lima, Portland to Osaka, this show is a glorious mash-up of food and travel. Viewers can rack up (honorary) frequent-flier miles by witnessing a wild assortment of treats from the streets (vendors, markets, carts, local spots), all of it as delicious and unpretentious as it gets. Brought to you by Chef's Table masterminds Brian McGinn and David Gelb, this series also puts the spotlight on the cooks (a fascinating bunch!) and their stories. Where to watch Street Food: Netflix See these mouthwatering dishes from Netflix's Street Food 17 of 20 Sugar Rush (2018–2020) 'Sugar Rush'. Courtesy of Netflix As the title literally promises, Sugar Rush is a show about making outrageously colorful and decadent desserts in a stress-inducingly short amount of time. This pressure-cooker of a show is a nail-biting, crave-worthy mad dash to the finish line. One fun perk (besides feasting your eyes on the craziest creations this side of Wonka) is that one of the judges is our favorite inventor, Candace Nelson (creator of the Sprinkles Cupcakes vending machines, thank you very much). Silly, frantic, over-the-top, and probably not very good for you, this show will satisfy your sweetest cravings. Where to watch Sugar Rush: Netflix Cast: Hunter March, Candace Nelson, Adriano Zumbo Naya Rivera's final TV appearance is on Netflix's Sugar Rush 18 of 20 Taco Chronicles (2019–2022) 'Taco Chronicles'. Courtesy of Netflix If you've ever waited in line at a taco truck, you can attest to the infinite possibilities this hand-held mini-meal holds. Bean, queso, guac? Nopales, pico, shrimp? Chorizo, carnitas, fajitas? Yes, chef! All of which is to say that tacos are an obvious subject for a docuseries. The story ideas are as endless as the recipes, and this cooking show does it all, showing off gorgeous variations of the dish from around the world while diving into the rich history. From birria to asada, puffy to pescado, no matter how much you think you know about tacos, we guarantee you will learn something new. (Like, al pastor came from…shawarma?) Originally from Mexico (where it was known as Las Crónicas del Taco), this series has a ton of fun with the subject, including a couple of episodes narrated in Spanish by the tacos themselves, in which they (sensually?) declare things like, "take a look at me, enjoy me"?! Where to watch Taco Chronicles: Netflix 19 of 20 Ugly Delicious (2018–present) 'Ugly Delicious'. Netflix Ugly Delicious, the celebrated culinary travel show starring the charismatic food fanatic (and Momofuku founder) David Chang, brings some serious credentials to the table. Produced by Oscar-winning director Morgan Neville, this is the show to beat, combining striking photography, juicy details, comic touches, and sheer passionate energy that can't be matched. Taking on one topic per episode (tacos, pizza, Thanksgiving) and going deep, the series revels in the finer points and never fails to make us hungry. As EW's writer puts it, Ugly Delicious "uses food as a gateway for tackling misconceptions, breaking down cultural barriers, and finding common ground in shared experiences." Not only that, but season 2 reveals a nervous new-dad-to-be Chang preparing for his first child in the chef-iest way possible: learning how to make baby food. Where to watch Ugly Delicious: Netflix Cast: David Chang Ugly Delicious star David Chang gains 'appreciation' for Asian American successes 20 of 20 Waffles and Mochi (2021–2022) Michelle Obama and Lionel Richie on 'Waffles and Mochi'. ADAM ROSE/NETFLIX Globe-trotting puppets, delicious healthy food, and a glowing Michelle Obama? If you don't have kids, you may have missed this little slice of happiness. But hey, it's never too late to catch up — and we highly recommend you do — because this show is 100 percent pure yum. Did we mention it also features two of the cutest cooking show hosts ever? Live from the freezer, it's Waffles (a blue furry monster with waffle ears) and Mochi (a tiny, baby-voiced pink ball)! With a supporting cast of characters that includes a singing tomato (who sounds suspiciously like Sia), guest visits from Jack Black, Rashida Jones, Zach Galifianakis, and Gaten Matarazzo, plus celeb chefs like Samin Nosrat and José Andrés, what's not to like? Where to watch Waffles and Mochi: Netflix Cast: Michelle Obama, Piotr Michael, Michelle Zamora, Russ Walko, Jonathan Kidder Michelle Obama and puppet pals are on Netflix for an educational kids' series