Author: Chris Robinson

To be a successful chef, you must fulfill yourself in your art, not just in the kitchen, but in every aspect of your life. Now, to clarify, I’m not saying you should be trying to perfect the dangerous art of sleep-cooking or any other form of work in your own time. Home time is sacred! And finding a work/life balance is crucial for any hospitality professional- but there are ways to let the culinary world into your home life without burning yourself out!

One way that has gotten much more popular (thanks to the pandemic!) is culinary tv shows, primarily through Netflix and similar streaming services. These tv shows allow you to get entertaining, digestible information from some of the best chefs in the industry, all from the comfort of your own home!

1. Chef’s Table  

This Emmy-nominated series shows culinary stars around the world who are redefining gourmet food with innovative dishes and mesmerizing desserts. Each episode adds an emotional component by delving into a famous chef's backstory. Making meals may not always be pretty, but this docuseries exposes the passion behind the meal. There are 6 seasons released on Netflix with each episode lasting for about 45 minutes to an hour each. This series will surely get you hooked!

2. Street Food​

Perhaps the most descriptively named beach on this list: Dolphin Beach, in Jeffery's Bay, is a beach that is characterized by its relaxed atmosphere and frequent waves throughout the crystal clear waters. These conditions are perfect for surfers but also attract large numbers of dolphins, which can be spotted playing in the waves all year round!

3. The Final Table​

The Final Table is one of the most grueling cooking reality shows to hit the airwaves since the infamous MasterChef by Gordon Ramsay. The premise centers around pitting professional luxury chefs against one another in a competition to impress judges with a, particularly critical palette, using dishes from various countries. This show is a great watch for anyone wanting to experience the ambiance of controlled chaos that can be found in most modern kitchens, without being the one in the firing line!

4. Ugly Delicious​

Star chef David Chang leads his friends on a mouthwatering, cross-cultural hunt for the world’s most satisfying grub. Ugly Delicious takes the pretentiousness out of food programming, highlighting the importance of the ugly and delicious world of home cooking. Chang isn't the only host of the series, though, giving a collection of unique voices a chance to shine. And that's great, especially for those out there who find his brash sensibilities an acquired taste. There are currently 2 Seasons of this on Netflix with each episode running for 45 minutes to an hour each. You can still catch up!

5. The Chef Show​

For those who are looking for a less intense outlook into the modern luxury kitchen, the chef show may be straight up your alley! The premise of the Chef Show is an exploratory, glance into some of the most fascinating, delicious, or iconic dishes and cuisines across the world. This premise makes for a fascinatingly varied and fun tv series that allows for the hosts to let their hair down and talk about culinary topics that strike a chord with the viewer

A lot of the charm of the series comes from the hosts themselves: Jon Favreau and Roy Choi. Favreau is a famous American actor and Roy Choi is a luxury chef, famous for popularizing his signature dish: the Korean Taco. Choi mentored Favreau for his role in the (now very successful) film, Chef, and the two have remained friends since. The two hosts share both charisma and charm that is hard to replicate but makes for great tv! So for anyone wanting an expert and entertaining insight into their craft, this is the perfect show for you!

While every single one of these tv shows can give you a great insight into the kitchen, they cannot compare to accredited, culinary education from a dedicated hospitality school.

APPLY now to register for a program at our campuses in Miami or Barcelona!