There are hundreds of Cooking shows to stream on various platforms this very moment. From competitive cooking shows on Netflix to delightful Food documentaries like Salt, Fat, Acid Heat, there’s something for every type of food lover to watch. But why is that? What makes food and cooking shows so fascinating that so many people get drawn in?
I myself have a deep appreciation for food-related television and have spent way too much time bingeing these types of shows. I may not have all of the answers as to why this genre of entertainment is so popular, but I have observed a few reasons why folks enjoy watching culinary events unfold on their screens.
It’s Like Sports, but Relatable to Everyone
One of the easiest comparisons I can think to make is between food shows and sports. People love watching sports, sports news, and just about everything related to sports. For those of us who don’t particularly enjoy watching sports, this can seems like a strange thing to enjoy. Viewers aren’t actually the ones plaything the game, so why do they enjoy it so much? While there are some folks who have never actually played sports but still enjoy watching, the answer is actually quite scientific and related to how our brains function as human beings.
The key to our enjoyment of viewership of an activity is partially due to something called mirror neurons. These are a class of neuron that activate both when we are doing an activity as well as when we are observing that activity being done. So if you are someone who has played sports and enjoyed playing, there are neurons in your brain that will activate similarly while you are watching that activity being played — even if you aren’t participating. Naturally, this same idea applies to food and cooking shows. If you enjoy eating or making food, you’ll likely get similar enjoyment from watching other people eat or make food.
You Can Discover New Recipes
Whether it’s a competitive cooking show or just a nice old lady sharing her recipes to an audience, there is a good chance you’re going to learn something new. Although many folks opt to take cooking classes to learn how to cook, there is a lot you can learn just by watching other folks prepare food. Whether its helpful cooking tips or very specific easy recipes you can add to your repertoire, cooking shows are a great way to hone your culinary craft.
This reason for enjoyment really only applies to those of us who have a passion for cooking, however. If someone already enjoys making food for themselves and others, they are going to be naturally inclined to want to learn more about that hobby.
Food Is Cultural History
Food is one of those things that everyone has to partake in. You literally can’t survive without eating food, so there’s no really no avoiding it. While there are some people who see food as simply a form of sustenance to keep their body working, most folks tend to enjoy eating something delicious. And the great thing about food, culturally, is that it tends to be the first thing to transcend social biases. There is a rich history to different types of cuisine that history buffs and sociologists will no doubt enjoy diving into.
As someone who has watched a few too many food documentaries in their time, one of the first examples of this that comes to mine is the history of Chinese food in America. Despite coming from an entirely different culture and people who have faced oppression in the United States, Chinese food is one of the most popular cuisines in the country.
Looking to watch some culinary entertainment now? Take a look at our list of the best food shows on Netflix as well as the best food and cooking anime.
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