PBS has long been a favorite network for cooking show enthusiasts, offering a diverse range of educational and entertaining content. In this article, we will delve into the best PBS cooking shows available to stream providing details about each show, including IMDb ratings, directors, and cast.
America’s Test Kitchen Books
| Genre | Documentary |
|---|---|
| Director | Herb Sevush |
| Cast | Christopher Kimball, Dan Souza, Julia Collin Davison, Erin McMurrer, Bridget Lancaster |
| IMDb Rating | 8.5/10 |
| No. of Seasons | 22 seasons |
Description: America’s Test Kitchen Books is a cooking show where participants engage in various cooking experiments. The series showcases unique techniques and culinary challenges faced by the participants.
Hosts Bridget Lancaster and Julia Collin Davison test the skills of the kitchen cooks as they prepare America’s favorite recipes.
The French Chef
| Genre | Short, Family, Documentary |
|---|---|
| Directors | David Atwood, Russell Morash |
| Creator | Julia Child |
| Cast | Julia Child |
| IMDb Rating | 8.8/10 |
| No. of Seasons | 10 seasons |
Description: Hosted by Julia Child, The French Chef is a classic American TV cooking show that aimed to inspire people to try their hand at French cuisine. With 206 episodes, this immensely popular series introduced American audiences to the joys of cooking French dishes.
A Chef’s Life
| Genre | Reality-TV |
|---|---|
| Director | Cynthia Hill |
| Creator | Vivian Howard |
| Cast | Vivian Howard, Ben Knight, Sheri Castle |
| IMDb Rating | 7.5/10 |
| No. of Seasons | 5 seasons |
Description: A Chef’s Life is a cooking show and documentary series led by Vivian Howard. Set in Kinston, NC, Vivian and her spouse, Ben Knight, run the ‘Chef and the Farmer,’ a farm-to-table restaurant. The series explores both modern and traditional applications of Southern ingredients through Vivian’s work and life.
Cook’s Country From America’s Test Kitchen
| Genre | Documentary |
|---|---|
| Directors | Herb Sevush, Jan Maliszewski |
| Cast | Bridget Lancaster, Christopher Kimball, Julia Collin Davison, Adam Ried, Jack Bishop |
| IMDb Rating | 8.5/10 |
| No. of Seasons | 15 seasons |
Description: Cook’s Country From America’s Test Kitchen uncovers the best of American cuisine and chefs through comprehensive kitchen testing. The series showcases delicious recipes and explores the rich culinary heritage of the United States.
Family Ingredients
| Genre | Documentary |
|---|---|
| Director | Ty Sanga |
| Creator | Ty Sanga |
| Cast | Ed Kenney, Noriko Aka, Pham Thi Thai Ha, Raymond Le, Andrew Le |
| IMDb Rating | 8.2/10 |
| No. of Seasons | 2 seasons |
Description: Family Ingredients is a travel cooking documentary series that celebrates the multicultural culinary history and cooking traditions of Hawaii. Viewers get to meet interesting locals, learn about the culture, and explore diverse cuisines.
I’ll Have What Phil’s Having
| Genre | Documentary |
|---|---|
| Director | John Bedolis |
| Cast | Phil Rosenthal, Martin Short, Lily Rosenthal, Ray Romano, Monica Horan |
| IMDb Rating | 8.5/10 |
| No. of Seasons | 1 season |
Description: I’ll Have What Phil’s Having is a delightful food and travel documentary series hosted by Phil Rosenthal, the creator of “Everybody Loves Raymond.” Phil embarks on culinary adventures around the world, exploring the local food scenes and immersing himself in the culture and traditions of each destination.
Lidia’s Kitchen
| Genre | Reality-TV |
|---|---|
| Director | Anne Adams |
| Cast | Lidia Bastianich |
| IMDb Rating | 7.2/10 |
| No. of Seasons | 8 seasons |
Description: Lidia’s Kitchen features renowned Italian-American chef Lidia Bastianich as she shares her love for Italian cuisine. Each episode presents authentic Italian recipes, cooking techniques, and stories behind the dishes. Lidia’s warm and inviting approach makes the show both educational and entertaining.
Mexico: One Plate at a Time
| Genre | Documentary |
|---|---|
| Director | Zeva Oelbaum |
| Cast | Rick Bayless |
| IMDb Rating | 8.4/10 |
| No. of Seasons | 13 seasons |
Description: Hosted by renowned chef Rick Bayless, Mexico: One Plate at a Time takes viewers on a culinary journey through Mexico. Rick explores the country’s vibrant food culture, regional specialties, and traditional cooking techniques. The show showcases the diverse flavors and ingredients that make Mexican cuisine so unique.
Pati’s Mexican Table
| Genre | Documentary |
|---|---|
| Director | Jeff Dunn |
| Cast | Pati Jinich |
| IMDb Rating | 7.9/10 |
| No. of Seasons | 11 seasons |
Description: One of the best PBS cooking show Pati’s Mexican Table. It is a cooking and travel series hosted by Pati Jinich. Pati, a Mexican chef and cookbook author, shares her passion for Mexican cuisine, exploring its rich history and traditions. She demonstrates how to prepare delicious and authentic Mexican dishes that can be recreated at home.
Simply Ming
| Genre | Documentary |
|---|---|
| Director | Carl Greenfield |
| Cast | Ming Tsai |
| IMDb Rating | 7.4/10 |
| No. of Seasons | 18 seasons |
Description: Simply Ming features celebrity chef Ming Tsai as he combines East-West flavors and cooking techniques to create innovative dishes. Each episode includes special guest appearances, where Ming collaborates with other chefs and culinary experts to showcase diverse culinary traditions.
Conclusion
Although accessing PBS cooking shows outside the USA may require the use of a VPN, the rich and diverse content offered by these shows makes it worthwhile. From classic series like The French Chef to modern favorites like A Chef’s Life, PBS cooking shows provide a blend of education, entertainment, and cultural exploration.
Whether you’re interested in French cuisine, American classics, or international flavors, these shows offer a wealth of culinary inspiration for food enthusiasts around the world.
