Netflix is a great source of educational, inspirational and light-hearted entertainment - not least when it comes to food. From competitive cooking shows to docu-series and foodie films, this streaming service has a veritable feast of food stories to tuck into from around the globe.
If, like us, you're hungry to learn more about food you've yet to try, or you simply enjoy sitting back and tucking into some well-earned armchair escapism, here are our latest top food picks for shows, series and films, all through the lens of food on Netflix this month:
Cooking Shows
¡Nailed It! México: Season 2 — Netflix Original
Nailed It! hosts Nicole Byer and Jacques Torres are back for a second season this month as they test the mettle of amateur bakers in this very watchable gameshow-style series, where home bakers try to recreate cakes shaped like armadillos, aliens and Elvis for a tasty cash prize.
The Great British Baking Show
The very watchable Great British Bake Off (known as The Great British Baking Show in the US) features 12 amateur bakers battling it out for a simple title. There's plenty of good hearted banter and double entendre's along the way in a number of episodes as passionate amateur bakers experience the highs and lows of competitive baking in weekly challenges.
Cooked With Cannabis
Kellis’ new cooking show shakes things up as chefs arrive in the studio to create three-course meals that taste good with cannabis as the active ingredient. There are six episodes to get through - easily do-able in one weekend.
The Chef Show - Season 3
Out since June, this third tranche of popular Netflix Original invites you to sit back and watch the dynamic duo Jon Favreau and chef Roy Choi in action.
Read more here.
Crazy Delicious
New out on Netflix, this wacky competitive cooking show, starring Heston Blumenthal, takes reality TV to new heights, quite literally. Think Willy Wonka and edible food sets and Heston doubling up as a food god, sitting on a cloud.
Read more here.
Docu-Series
Street Food - Latin America
This brand new docu-series from the Chef’s Table team, created by David Gelb and Brian McGinn, travels to the Latin American countries of Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru meeting the people who sell food from markets, stalls and trucks, and exploring the history, meaning and context of the dishes they prepare.
Read more here.
Ugly Delicious - Season 2
The critically-acclaimed Netflix Original documentary series from Chef David Chang always is always guaranteed to entertain, with guests Helen Rosner and Chris Ying, Danny McBride, Bill Simmons and Dave Choe.
Flavourful Origins
While season 2 of this Mandarin-language show has been available on Netflix since October of last year, it’s still definitely worth a watch this month for the culturally curious.
Taco Chronicles
This deep dive into the history and cultural context of the Mexican culinary phenomenon is a delight to the senses (mostly just the audio/visual ones). Exploring six different kinds of tacos - ingredients and cooking methods - and with appearances by some of Mexico’s top chefs, there is plenty to enjoy.
Rotten
The six-episode season of Rotten tackles some of the food industry's more serious issues head on, from corruption and crime, to controversy from the 'Avocado war' and 'bitter chocolate'. This series definitely offers up some food for thought.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Netflix teams up with David Chang for another food/travel show Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. The format is a simple one. Chang travels to an exotic destination with one of his pals and tries breakfast, lunch and dinner. The destinations to star in the series are Vancouver, Canada, Marrakesh, Morocco, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Los Angeles, USA.Celebrity guests joining the Momofuku chef and Ugly Delicious star are Seth Rogen, Chrissy Tiegen, Kate McKinnon, and Lena Waithe.
Find out more here
Seven Days Out- Eleven Madison Park
For a nostalgic look back at the restaurant what was once the No. 1 restaurant in the world, this series checks in seven days before opening night as staff and owners face a flurry of nerve-wracking challenges racing to reopen after extensive renovations.
Find out more here.
Food Films
A Tale of Two Kitchens (2019)
An inspiring documentary featuring two restaurants, Cala in San Francisco and Contramar in Mexico City, both owned and operated by Gabriela Cámara, an acclaimed Mexican chef highlighting how restaurants can become second homes for the people who work in them.
Jeremiah Tower: The Last Magnificent (2016)
An insightful look at the American chef Jeremiah Tower, known as one of the fathers of 'California Cuisine'. Produced by the late, great Anthony Bourdain.
Sour Grapes (2016)
An entertaining crime documentary about an Indonesian wine fraudster called Rudy Kurniawan who bought and sold colossal sums of counterfeit wine conning investors out of millions of dollars.
Uncorked (2020)
When a loyal son decides to pursue his dream of becoming a high-end sommelier instead of joining the family BBQ business there ensues a tale of family tension that transcends both the food and wine aspect of the show’s premise. Staring Mamoudou Athie and Courtney B. Vance, it’s a well-acted drama that will resonate with everyone.
Find out more here.
Always Be My Maybe (2019)
Food is central to this Netflix rom-com, after all central character Sasha is herself is a chef.
Flavours of Youth (2018)
Food is a bridge helping lonely souls re-connect in this Japanese animated cartoon saga about three millennials.
BBQ (2017)
With summer well underway, have you nailed your grill game? Settle down in front of this inspiring documentary and prepare to embrace BBQ season like never before.
