If you identify as an armchair cook, you are likely aware of the unadulterated joy that a good food show provides after a long day at work. So, if you are craving that blissful feeling of kicking back and enjoying your favourite meal over a hearty binge-watch session, let these best food shows on Netflix be your staple diet for the next few weeks.
Every viewer has their own tastes when it comes to food shows, and Netflix seems to understand that. Some viewers relish the cut-throat intensity of high-stakes cooking competitions, while others prefer hosts who travel to various corners of the world, bringing hyper-local recipes into the kitchens of an international audience.
Over the years, the streaming platform has significantly expanded its line-up. From fan-favourite Korean food reality series such as Culinary Class Wars to travelogue-style gems like Salt Fat Acid Heat, in which chef Samin Nosrat explores the universal principles of cooking through four fundamental elements, there’s something to suit every palate.
And as Netflix’s menu of culinary shows continues to evolve, why shouldn’t your watchlist? If you’re struggling to choose what to watch next, this list of the best food shows will help you binge to your heart’s — and tummy’s — content.
Top 17 food shows on Netflix that are so good, you’ll devour them in a single sitting
This story first appeared here.
1 /17
Chef’s Table (2015–2024)Created by: David Gelb
Seasons: 7
Episodes: 34
Runtime per episode: 40 to 55 minutes
IMDb rating: 8.5
About the show: Chef’s Table is an Emmy-nominated docuseries that introduces viewers to the world’s most renowned chefs. Each episode offers a glimpse into the life of an exceptional chef, who shares their personal story and experiences over a hearty dish.
2 /17
Culinary Class Wars (2024–)Created by: Kim Hak-min and Kim Eun-ji
Seasons: 2
Episodes: 25
Runtime per episode: 1 hour to 1 hour and 20 minutes
IMDb rating: 8.5
About the show: Netflix’s global hit Culinary Class Wars hasn’t just taken the world by storm; it has also put Seoul on the bucket list of foodies everywhere. This cooking reality series pits 80 local cooks, known as the Black Spoon chefs, against 20 renowned celebrity cooks, aka the White Spoon chefs, from across South Korea, competing for a staggering prize of KRW 300 million (approximately USD 225,000).
If you love a good cook-off, this intense cooking competition features fiery duels and team battles, ensuring that viewers stay glued to their screens – even if their stomachs are growling with hunger!
3 /17
Somebody Feed Phil (2018–)Created by: Philip Rosenthal
Seasons: 8
Episodes: 49
Runtime per episode: 44 to 50 minutes
IMDb rating: 8.3
About the show: If you want to watch a wholesome food show in which the host takes you through street markets and forges deep connections with locals over cuisine and ingredients, then Somebody Feed Phil definitely deserves a spot on your streaming plate.
Hosted by Phil Rosenthal, this comforting series explores global food traditions and cultures with a dash of humour and plenty of emotional depth.
4 /17
The Chef Show (2019–2020)Created by: Jon Favreau
Seasons: 2
Episodes: 25
Runtime per episode: Around 30 minutes
IMDb rating: 8.2
About the show: Yes, you read that right. Actor-filmmaker Jon Favreau, the man who has helmed blockbusters such as Iron Man (2008), The Jungle Book (2016) and The Lion King (2019), is also the creator of The Chef Show. The American cooking series was inspired by Favreau’s training and experiences in preparation for the 2014 film Chef.
This show celebrates diverse foods, cooking techniques and friendship, as Favreau and chef Roy Choi team up to sample each other’s favourite recipes, joined by A-listers such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Robert Downey Jr., Tom Holland and more.
Also read: English chef and author Fuchsia Dunlop talks about ‘authentic food’ and more
5 /17
Cooked (2016)Created by: Alex Gibney
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 4
Runtime per episode: Around 50 minutes
IMDb rating: 8.0
About the show: Based on the 2013 book Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation by the author and food activist Michael Pollan, Netflix’s Cooked explores the age-old relationship between humans and the art of cooking. Each episode examines the history of gastronomy and its social and cultural impact on society through the four basic elements of cooking: fire, water, air and earth.
6 /17
Street Food: Asia (2019)Created by: David Gelb and Brian McGinn
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 9
Runtime per episode: Around 30 minutes
IMDb rating: 7.8
About the show: Street Food: Asia takes viewers on a journey across nine vibrant Asian cities. Each episode explores the rich history behind the street food culture of a specific city. From Delhi’s famous food carts to the mouth-watering stalls at South Korea’s Gwangjang Market, the series highlights it all.
7 /17
Ugly Delicious (2018–2020)Hosted by: David Chang
Seasons: 2
Episodes: 12
Runtime per episode: Around 50 minutes
IMDb rating: 7.7
About the show: In Ugly Delicious, chef David Chang travels the world, with each episode focusing on the cultural, sociological and culinary history of a specific popular food. Along the way, he challenges and explores the attitudes embedded in each dish’s lore. He is joined by writers, artists, activists and fellow chefs, and together they aim to break down cultural barriers and challenge common misconceptions about food.
8 /17
School of Chocolate (2021)Hosted by: Amaury Guichon
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 8
Runtime per episode: Around 45 minutes
IMDb rating: 7.6
About the show: School of Chocolate is the perfect treat for viewers with a sweet tooth. In this Netflix food show, celebrated chocolatier Amaury Guichon mentors eight top pastry professionals in a competition that involves creating over-the-top showpieces using only chocolate. At the end of each episode, one contestant earns the title of Best in Class.
9 /17
Salt Fat Acid Heat (2018)Directed by: Caroline Suh
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 4
Runtime per episode: 40 to 48 minutes
IMDb rating: 7.6
About the show: In this cooking documentary series, chef and food writer Samin Nosrat travels around the world to explore the four crucial elements of cooking, while serving delicious food and offering helpful tips along the way. Salt Fat Acid Heat is based on Nosrat’s 2017 cookbook of the same name.
10 /17
The Final Table (2018)Created by: Robin Ashbrook and Yasmin Shackleton
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 10
Runtime per episode: 50 to 60 minutes
IMDb rating: 7.6
About the show: The Final Table is an American reality TV cooking competition featuring 24 professional chefs. Divided into 12 teams of two, each pair of contestants prepares mouth-watering dishes from different parts of the globe as they strive to impress a panel of nine world-renowned master chefs.
Unlike other top food shows on Netflix, The Final Table does not offer its winning contestants a cash prize; instead, it celebrates culinary heritage by awarding top performers a prestigious seat at the titular “Final Table” alongside the master judges.
11 /17
Dinner Time Live with David Chang (2024–)Hosted by: David Chang
Seasons: 3
Episodes: 51
Runtime per episode: 50 to 60 minutes
IMDb rating: 7.4
About the show: Chef David Chang hosts an unfiltered dining experience as he cooks for his celebrity friends in his kitchen and shares culinary secrets and recipes along the way.
(Image credit: ADAM ROSE/NETFLIX – © 2024 Netflix, Inc. via IMDb)
12 /17
Nailed It! (2018–)Hosted by: Nicole Byer
Seasons: 7
Episodes: 43
Runtime per episode: 32 to 34 minutes
IMDb rating: 7.4
About the show: Based on the hilarious online trend of cake fails, each episode of Nailed It! sees three amateur bakers compete to recreate impossibly difficult bakes for the approval of judge and master chocolatier Jacques Torres, alongside a guest judge, and for the chance to win USD 10,000. Hosted by comedian Nicole Byer, the show is fun, chaotic and thoroughly entertaining.
Each episode includes a new guest judge; the first episode, for example, features Sylvia Weinstock, who designed Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s wedding cake.
13 /17
Barbecue Showdown (2018–)Seasons: 3
Episodes: 24
Runtime per episode: 40 to 50 minutes
IMDb rating: 7.1
About the show: Barbecue Showdown (originally titled The American Barbecue Showdown) is a reality cooking series in which eight contestants from across the country compete to create the most boundary-pushing barbecue, for a grand prize of USD 50,000 and the title of “American Barbecue Champion”.
Also read: Food historian and author Khir Johari on heritage food, identity and more
14 /17
Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend (2022)Hosted by: Alton Brown and Kristen Kish
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 8
Runtime per episode: 40 to 50 minutes
IMDb rating: 7.1
About the show: A reboot of Iron Chef America (2005–2018), Netflix’s Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend is a cooking competition series in which challenger chefs face off against five Iron Chefs, creating dishes centred on a secret ingredient revealed by “The Chairman”, Mark Dacascos. The highest-scoring challenger then competes against the Iron Chefs once more for the chance to be crowned the ultimate Iron Legend.
15 /17
Next Gen Chef (2025–)Hosted by: Olivia Culpo
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 8
Runtime per episode: 45 to 50 minutes
IMDb rating: 7.0
About the show: Hosted by Olivia Culpo and judged by the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) graduates Kelsey Barnard Clark and Carlton McCoy, Next Gen Chef features 21 young chefs, including a few who are alumni of the CIA, as it hunts for the best chef to lead the next generation. These contestants go through rigorous challenges in order to win a whopping prize money of USD 500,000.
16 /17
Baking Impossible (2021)Created by: Andrew Smyth
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 8
Runtime per episode: 50 minutes
IMDb rating: 7.0
About the show: Baking Impossible isn’t like any ordinary baking show. This Netflix baking competition takes things up a notch by combining maths and science with the art of baking. Yes, you read that right. Baking Impossible is a competition in which teams of bakers and engineers, assembled by judge and “bakineer” Andrew Smyth, create bakes that can withstand a stress test. By putting their specific skill sets to use, each pair strives to win the cash prize of USD 100,000.
17 /17
Sugar Rush (2018–2020)Hosted by: Hunter March
Seasons: 3
Episodes: 20
Runtime per episode: 50 to 53 minutes
IMDb rating: 7.0
About the show: Sugar Rush is a fast-paced baking competition that challenges talented bakers to whip up delicious sweet treats that look and taste amazing, all while racing against the clock. The show is hosted by Hunter March and judged by chefs Candace Nelson and Adriano Zumbo. It features four professional teams of two competing for a USD 10,000 prize.
(Hero and Featured image credit: IMDb)Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.