The 80+ Best Competition Cooking Shows
The best cooking competition shows, hosted by some of television's most entertaining celebrity chefs, have become one of the must-watch genres on television. Some of the best shows on television right now take place in a kitchen, and the best cooking shows on TV are the reason. These shows all focus more on cooking than baking - but you can check out the best bake-heavy shows like GBBO and Nailed it! on The Most Watchable Baking Competitions or stick with sweets at Delicious Dessert Competitions.
While the cooking show has been around almost since the advent of TV (Julia Child was a thing long before Meryl Streep played her), in recent years we have seen the rise of the cooking competition show. Whether you tune in to Top Chef on Bravo or Netflix to see elite chefs battle for the title of best chef, or Masterchef which features home cooks battling it out to see if they have the chops to compete with the pros, reality cooking competition shows have become must-watch entertainment for the culinarily curious. Adding to the mix are timed challenge cooking competition reality shows like Chopped that put cooks in the kitchen but under extreme pressure to produce great food or go home. Shows like Worst Cooks In America aim to teach basic skills to hapless novices, only aiming to create the Best of the Worst. There are even cooking shows that focus on specific types of preparing food, like barbecue competitions.Â
Which reality cooking competitions are the best? What is the most entertaining cooking competition show? Who are the best hosts of reality cooking competition shows? Vote up the cooking competition shows you think are the best and see where your favorite competitive cooking shows rank. No matter what type of cooking contest you like, from barbeque to haute cuisine, there is definitely something out there for you.
- 1Emeril Lagasse, Gail Simmons, Padma Lakshmi
- Premiered: March 8, 2006
- Genres: Reality
In this high-stakes culinary competition, professional chefs from around the country face off in a series of rigorous challenges that test their skills, creativity, and ability to work under pressure. With guest judges often appearing from the world of fine dining, contestants need to stay on their toes to avoid being "86’d" from the kitchen.
- 2
MasterChef
Gordon Ramsay, Graham Elliot, Joe Bastianich- Premiered: July 27, 2010
- Genres: Reality
Home cooks of all backgrounds come together to battle it out for ultimate culinary supremacy, with renowned culinary heavyweights serving as both judges and mentors. Through mystery boxes, elimination tests, and pressure-filled challenges, the competitors are pushed to their limits in their quest to don the coveted MasterChef apron.
- 3Ted Allen, Alex Guarnaschelli, Marc Murphy
- Premiered: January 13, 2009
- Genres: Reality
In this intense timed contest, talented chefs race against the clock to create innovative and delicious dishes using four secret ingredients plucked straight from the pantry. Judges, typically accomplished chefs themselves, provide insightful critiques while competitors fight to avoid hearing the dreaded phrase, "You've been chopped."
- 4Marino Monferrato, Andi Van Willigan, James Avery
- Premiered: May 30, 2005
- Genres: Reality
Under the fiery gaze of the notoriously demanding Gordon Ramsay, a group of aspiring chefs must prove their mettle in a series of brutal challenges. With tensions running high and tempers flaring, only one will survive the cutthroat atmosphere to claim a life-changing grand prize.
- 5Alton Brown
- Premiered: 2013
- Genres: Reality
Hosted by the devilishly devious Alton Brown, this show merges culinary chops with sabotage, as contestants not only cook under the clock but strategize ways to throw their opponents off their game. With auctions for various impish hindrances, it's survival of the craftiest in this no-holds-barred battleground.
- 6
Iron Chef
Masaharu Morimoto, Hiroyuki Sakai- Premiered: September 30, 1993
- Genres: Reality
In the hallowed halls of Kitchen Stadium, distinguished culinary masters face off against ambitious challengers in a high-pressure battle of skill and ingenuity. With a secret ingredient as the shared focus, the contenders must whip up a full-course meal in just one hour – all while receiving live commentary from play-by-play announcers.
