If you’re a self-proclaimed foodie then lockdown might be the perfect time for you to catch up on your favourite food shows, play around with recipes that you’ve wanted to try out but never had the time, read your favourite food blogs to see what new tips are out there, or just experiment with the ingredients you’ve got. But let’s be honest, you’ll probably start off the lockdown getting comfy on the couch and turning on Netflix.

Food Shows On Netflix

Let’s talk about some great cooking shows available on Netflix. That’s right, there are some goodies out there that you might have been sleeping on. Lockdown gives you the opportunity to veg out on the couch, no more excuses!

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat

First up is Chef Samin Nosrat’s Netflix docuseries. Inspired by her celebrated cookbook, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat – this show oozes passion, inspiration and talent. The aim of this show is to reach those amateur cooks who want to learn more about perfecting their culinary skills. The docuseries follows Nosrat to different countries, and into various kitchens as we learn about, well, salt, fat, acid, and heat.

Chef’s Table

Chef’s Table is probably hands down Netflix’s most compulsively-watchable food series. This show has been around quite a while, with multiple seasons that delve into various culinary genres. The show offers some never before seen footage of the worldsthe chef s most longed for fine dining experiences, the restaurants shown on the show are all of some relatively high status and are generally scandalously expensive. But hey, a girl can dream though.

We all are a little bit obsessive when it comes to fine dining, and this series offers insight into various culinary movements that are happening around the world. If you’re smart, you can also look at this series not just as a behind-the-scenes into the world of fine dining but also as a travel show. This might not be a cooking show per say but you can definitely grab some inspiration from the beautifully presented dishes that are shown on the show.

Ugly Delicious

Next up, is most likely a crowd favourite, award-winning Momofuku chef David Chang’s Ugly Delicious. Each episode highlights one concept or dish, whether it be pizza, BBQ, or ‘the kids menu’. It also goes on to explore how each dish is made in different regions of the world and how it evolves. As Chang goes around the world to various locations to try different dishes he is joined by celebrities in their own right. Whether it be in comedy, food, or cinema he always has someone interesting commenting on the food they are chowing down on. Think of this show as a highly entertaining review of food and culture.

The Chef Show

The Chef Show is an offshoot of the movie ‘Chef’. Both are from the same director and star, Jon Favreau but the difference is that the show is not only informative but also incredibly entertaining to binge-watch. Favreau and renowned chef Roy Choi have fun cooking, experimenting their favourite recipes and techniques along with celebrity guests in the culinary and entertainment world. They both seem to highlight that making a meal is more than just the food, it’s about tradition and about the experience of it all.

Somebody Feed Phil

Let’s dive in to Somebody Feed Phil. Look, I’m going to be honest with you, I’m still not too sure why the creator of Everybody Loves Raymond is hosting this food-centric travel series as he is not an expert in this field but its a good time. If you want something light-hearted and easy to watch then this is the show for you.

Phil Rosenthal travels around the world trying different dishes that are popular in the country he is visiting. There is a perfect balance of fine dining and everyday eateries on the show, expect Phil to say he likes everything and to give a goofy smile at everything he is about to devour.

Cooked

Similar to Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, Michael Pollan’s Cooked on Netflix also follows four elements surrounding cooking, fire, water, air and earth. Pollan is one of America’s most influential journalists, and has written extensively on the subject. His most famous quote is ‘Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants’. In this four part docu series he delves into cooking through the four elements and looks at food more seriously. Throughout the show we see Pollan try his hand at not only cooking but also brewing and baking.

Street Food

This is probably my favourite foodie show on Netflix and lockdown has brought you the opportunity to binge on this incredibly informative and moving show. This show is so much more than just the food that is being featured, it also makes a connection between the lives of the people who make it. Each episode is about a different country and the food that makes them unique, however each episode shows the sad reality of how poverty, inequality and desperation loom over the chefs featured on the show. You will learn about different cuisines you didn’t really know about but you will also open your eyes to the struggle of people working to survive. P.S. The Thailand one is the best episode in my opinion but you’re going to have to check it out for yourself to see if I’m right.

*If you want to take it a step further, why not use this time in isolation to organise your kitchen! If you have a hard time finding that can of chickpeas or you always seem to misplace the grater than it’s definitely time to Marie Kondo your life.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF YOU SUSPECT YOU MAY BE INFECTED

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has a toll-free number for the public that deals with Covid-19 related issues or questions: 0800 029 999. The line is operated 24 hours a day.