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A Foodie's Guide to TV: The Series I Love



Here's the thing: I watch a lot of TV shows. As much as I enjoy watching comedy shows (like Big Bang Theory, 2 Broke Girls and the recently-concluded How I Met Your Mother), I also love watching foodie and travel shows. I will be sharing you the foodie shows that got me really hooked. You might want to watch them too. ;)

1. MasterChef US (Seasons 1 - 5)



- MasterChef is a reality competition of really talented home cooks across the country. I particularly love the US version, with judges Joe Bastianich, Graham Elliot and Gordon Ramsay. I have watched from seasons 3 to 5, and I love the diversity of culture of the contestants, from Asian to European. The way they create dishes from each challenge was fascinating, and encourages me more to take cooking a lot more seriously. 

Other spin-offs I like: Junior MasterChef Australia

2. Top Chef Just Desserts (Seasons 1 - 2)



- Like MasterChef, Top Chef is another reality cooking competition; but Top Chef is joined by professionals. I watch the Top Chef Just Desserts, with hottie pastry chef Johnny Iuzzini as head judge. I appreciate how the chefs take my favorite desserts to the next level. This show made me respect pastry chefs more. Warning: never EVER watch this show hungry.  

3. Kitchen Nightmares (Seasons 1 - 7)


- My favorite show by Gordon Ramsay. It revolves around Gordon spending a week at a failing restaurant, observes what was wrong, and offers solutions to its owners to keep the business afloat. Not only I see drama, but learn a lot about running a restaurant, and boy, it is really tough. 

Other spin-offs I like: Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares (British version)

4. Hotel Hell (Seasons 1 -  2)



- Isn't it obvious that I love Gordon Ramsay? It must be right now. :P 

A similar concept with Kitchen Nightmares, but this show focuses on failing hotels around America. If you are a traveler, or dreams of having a bed-and-breakfast in the someday, this will be a learning experience for you. 

5. Man v Food (Seasons 1 - 4)



- Hosted by foodie Adam Richman, he travels around different cities in the US and visits restaurants with eating challenges, and tries to win it. It must be unhealthy for the guy doing the whole series (he has changed his lifestyle since and had gotten slim), but I'm amazed on how family restaurants have kept their businesses for decades, and their food quality as consistent as possible. 

Other spin-offs I like: Man v Food Nation, Adam Richman's Best Sandwich in America

6. No Reservations (Seasons 1 - 9)



- Remember the "Philippines" episode where he ate sisig and goat in Pampanga and lechon in Cebu? Me too. Mr. Bourdain never fails to make my jaw drop every time I catch this show on TV. Anyone who has all the seasons? I want to watch everything! And Mr. Bourdain, please go back here, please? 

Other shows by Anthony Bourdain: The Taste, The Layover, Parts Unknown

7. World Cafe: Asia



- A world traveler like Mr. Bourdain, Bobby Chinn goes around different Asian cities to try their street food and homegrown dishes. The way he describes ingredients is so impressive that I want to fly around Asia too. Someday, I will...

8. Iron Chef Japan



- Who didn't get hooked with Iron Chef Japan during the 90's? If you don't know about this amazing show, here's the gist: Iron Chef Japan is a show where a guest chef will challenge an iron chef for a cook-off. The theme of the dishes that will be served should revolve around one main ingredient, presented after the guest chef chooses the Iron Chef he will be competing with. Both chefs should finish a full course meal within the time limit. This is the mother of all cooking shows. 

9. Yakitate!! Japan



- The anime that really got me addicted, the story revolves around a young baker named Azuma Kazuma  and his conquest to create the best bread in Japan. 

10. Gordon's Ultimate Cookery Course



- A basic cooking course taught by, none other than, Gordon Ramsay. It involves tips from choosing ingredients, cutting, slicing, up to serving your dish nicely. Food need not be complicated, you just have to get the best ingredients in your pantry. ;)

This is just a short list of foodie shows I watch. Which shows do you watch too? Which shows not in this list that you love watching? I would love to know! :)

Photo credits: Wikipedia, theconlincompany.com, houstonpress.com, haveuheard.net, foodwallpaper.info, themoviemash.com, incorrigibleraag.blogspot.com, kosmixmedia.com, bbcamerica.com

Comments

  1. Now that you mentioned it, I don't really watch food shows (no cable). But I did see an episode or two of Cupcake Wars and it was interesting.

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    1. Some of these shows aren't available on cable tv (if you know what I mean *wink*), i haven't watched that. I saw DC Cupcakes once or twice though. :)

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  2. Naku! I have not seen any of the shows above hahaha Pasensiya na iba kasi ang ni DL ng aking husband puro mga series like Orange is the new Black ba yun etc lol

    xoxo
    MrsMartinez

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    1. I'm curious about Orange is the New Black. Ma-download rin nga! hehehe.

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  3. I'm guilty of watching food shows too, and your first 5 on the list are also on my watch list, hehehehe... I love the transformations of the Kitchen Nightmares the best. My daughter gets hooked too when I'm watching the shows!

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    1. Love it too, especially when the owner sees their transformed resto the first time. Pati ako naiiyak. hahaha! :)

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  4. Whoah! That was a lot.. Watching tv shows such as these would be a torture for me. hahaha! because maybe, i'll just drool while viewing.

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  5. OMG we are classmates!! I love watching all of the shows you mentioned above add up the Restaurant Makeover and Top Chef! I like the kiddie version of Master Chef too. I don't really cook so it's kind of weird why I love watching cooking shows. I just do! ;)

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    1. I should watch Restaurant Makeover and Top Chef too! :)

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  6. I love Iron Chef Japan. I've been watching it for years! It feels like a video game lol.

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  7. No cooking master boy? hahaha :D Anime lang kasi alam ko hehe

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    1. Oh, I forgot to include it. I love it too! haha :)

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  8. I super loved Master Chef Junior! Nakaka-amaze! :o

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