5 Food Documentaries On Netflix You Need To Watch ASAP
With the late COVID-19 pandemic let’s face it, we’ve all had far too much time on our hands. And if you are anything like us you would have been binge-watching Netflix more than you would like to admit - but don't worry, we don’t judge here (mostly because we are in the same boat). But in order to make it a little more okay (read: you never actually need an excuse!) - we’ve decided to put it down to research and blame work for our late-night binge sessions. Here, Consommé writer Adam has put together his top food shows he’s been getting second helpings of on Netflix. With special notable mentions to those that didn’t make the cut but are still worth a watch: Top Chef, Ugly Delicious, The Chef Show, Cooked, Sugar Rush and Taco Chronicles.
Netflix
Somebody Feed Phil
Phillip Rosenthal is my spirit famous person - funny Jewish guy who loves food. The man behind Everybody Loves Raymond (the now-staple of Channel 4's breakfast viewing) decided he wanted to express his love for food in via the medium of television. Cue the catchiest theme song I've ever heard, and Phil, 60, stuffing himself silly at some of the best food places around the world. It's 17 episodes of pure food joy.
Series three launched at the end of May and the London, Mexico and Marrakesh episodes are worth checking out. Each episode is also full of famous foodies dropping in: Nigella Lawson, Jay Rayner and Yotam Ottolenghi to name but a few.
Netflix
Chef's Table
Look, if you're on Consommé website, the chances are… you'll know about Chef's Table already but I couldn't not mention it - it’s the holy grail of foodie shows. But, for those who haven't marvelled at this utter masterpiece of a series yet, let me give you the low down. In short, each episode focuses on one specific and notable chef's story with some of the most beautiful, cinematic filming you'll ever see.
Split into volumes (not series), some of the greatest food names are featured such as Christina Tosi and Nancy Silverton as well as some you've never heard of but will soon become obsessed with once you've seen it (such as Vladimir Mukhin from Moscow's White Rabbit restaurant, for me).
Netflix
Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown.
What do you mean you haven't watched this before? Get out. Seriously. Leave. Now.
Ok, you can come back now. The late-great Anthony Bourdain is a real food legend; Netflix has finally added all 12 seasons of the iconic Parts Unknown series, and you have to watch them all, otherwise you'll never truly understand what the food world is all about.
And if you don't know who Anthony Bourdain is, then see my first sentence and ignore the second.
Netflix
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat
Chef and food writer Samin Nosrat travels the world to explore four basic keys to wonderful cooking, serving up feasts and helpful tips along the way. To have any understanding of the basics of cooking, you must watch this and then buy the book. How there is just one series of this, I have no idea. It deserves far more love than it gets.
Truly underrated.
Netflix
Million Pound Menu
Fred Sirieix hosting a show about independent food businesses competing for finance to open their own actual restaurant? Yes. This is fantastic and a must-watch.
The panic as the teams open pop-up restaurants, feeding investors and realise they've forgotten to… you know… season food - is sometimes hard to watch but always entertaining.
The first series is available to stream now but the show really comes into its own in series two. Watch series one now, and hope series two is online by time you’ve finished.