Food tv goes far beyond just instructional cooking shows these days. Cooking is entertainment, after all. I find that I am watching more food related shows than I used to because there are so many more available to me, but I also find that I opt to check out a food reality show or a food competition at least as often as I watch regular cooking shows! I like to mix it up and I’m not a viewer who watches one show and one show only – exactly the same way that I prefer to try out new recipes all the time instead of sticking with only a few classics.
I have watched several seasons of Top Chef (really liked Top Chef Masters and can’t wait for the dessert version!), and also tune in to Iron Chef America (I still like the original Japanese version), Chopped and Hell’s Kitchen when they’re on. For reality shows, I’ve seen Kitchen Nightmares (the UK version is my favorite), Ace of Cakes, Cake Boss and the two newest shows on the block, DC Cupcakes and The Bakery Bunch. I don’t have time to catch every episode of every show, so I’m curious as to what shows make your must-see food tv lists and why you like them.
Mike
July 15, 2010Good Eats; Alton Brown makes the instruction/education elements entertaining.
See the episode were he cold smokes bacon in a junk yard using an iron and gym locker.
Sweets
July 15, 2010Love most all food shows! My favorites are definitely Giada at Home, The Next Food Network Star, Cupcake Wars, Cake Boss….and very soon DC Cupcakes!
I live in Metro DC and have actually tasted cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcake (a.k.a. DC Cupcakes). They are EVERYTHING they are made out to be. The absolute BEST CUPCAKES I HAVE EVER TASTED! Hands down! I might have to pick a few up this weekend!
Amanda A
July 15, 2010Chopped is my favorite show to watch. I like it because the chefs don’t have any idea of what they are about to be able to use. They have to be create with what is in that basket. I also love Top Chef and Hell’s Kitchen. Sometimes I like The Next Food Network Star but only if it’s actually focusing on cooking.
BeckyS
July 15, 2010Good Eats! Alton Brown provides great entertainment and you learn while you laugh!
kayceebeebee
July 15, 2010Hell’s Kitchen. Just love Gordon Ramsey and it’s fun to see what the service will be.
M
July 15, 2010I’m a big fan of Top Chef, though I find I don’t have a favorite chef to root for this season. I’ve been watching The Next Food Network Star this season, mainly to cheer on a blogger/YTer I’ve followed for awhile now, Aaarti (http://www.aartipaarti.com/), though I usually don’t watch that show.
Otherwise, I turn to Food Network when there’s nothing else on, but I find that increasingly, they’re diverting their format of traditional cooking shows into extreme food challenge and reality cooking competitions, which I don’t find as interesting (or at least, the way they present them). I miss the old days of TV chefs like Nigella Lawson, Jacques Pepin, and the inimitable Julia Child.
sevenmarie
July 15, 2010I like the cake shows
cake boss
ace of cakes
food network challenge
I like cake boss’s cakes better than ace of cakes (because they are 100% edible, never made of foam) but i like the PEOPLE on ace of cakes better, buddy yells so much and all the people who work for him have such a huge attitude
Melissa
July 15, 2010I’m loving the next food network star this season, while at the same time finding myself annoyed with the majority of the contestants on top chef. I also love Chopped….and just about everything they air on food network. The Barefoot Contessa may be my favorite. Every recipe that I’ve made of hers has turned out spot on, and I greatly appreciate that.
Bridget
July 15, 2010Good Eats!
and I think Ace of Cakes is silly in the best of ways (and low drama). I’d love a competition show where there was no. drama. allowed. Too bad everyone thinks that makes good tv…sigh.
Chuck
July 15, 2010Definitely Good Eats!
Penny
July 16, 2010I love Chefs vs City. And I also love Paula Deen and her boys, especially Jamie.
C.D.
July 16, 2010LOVE Chopped; i love watching folks truly be creative and NOT follow a recipe verbatim —
Ace of Cakes– love it, although does anyone think Duff is selling out with face/name on all these mass produced products?!
I haven’t had a TV in 2 months now– so I’m missing out! does anyone know if these shows (or any shows- full length) are on the internet somewhere or on DVD yet? hulu.com has clips as does the foodnetwork.com site. thanks
Jane
July 16, 2010I like Throwdown with Bobby Flay. I often check out what Claire Robinson is making on 5 Ingredient Fix, because that’s about the limit to my cooking abilities (baking is another story). And I love The Next Food Network Star!
srah
July 17, 2010There are a lot of shows I’ll tune into, but the only ones I make a special effort to watch (my boyfriend TiVos them for us) are Chopped and What Would Brian Boitano Make?.
Shannon
August 12, 2010Ace of Cakes, Cake Boss, Cupcake Wars, Challenge (on FN, really only like the ones with cakes or sugar work), DC Cupcakes, Fabulous Cakes and some of Bobby Flays shows