A Pinch of TV Favorites

Lately I’ve come to the realization, from discussions with multiple friends, that I have watched A LOT of television. And I’m not surprised about it based on how my family spent time together watching all sorts of shows together growing up. I also chuckle thinking about all the different types of shows I’ve watched… and still do. Big Brother and Top Chef have consumed more time of my life than I really even want to think about.

I’m glad that weekly shows are getting back into rotation. Right now my weeks look like this:

• Sundays: The Last of Us

• Mondays and Tuesdays: The Phillies (who need to figure it out) or whatever I’m binging, currently Abbott Elementary – this has easily turned into my favorite sitcom in years.

• Wednesdays: Survivor and Summer House

• Thursdays: Top Chef

• Friday and Saturday: probably just YouTube, or a movie

This isn’t as much of a must-follow plan as it is the routine I’m in. It’s also much different now having a post-work/dinner flow that eventually somehow it turns to be 8 p.m. or later. But I digress. There’s a point to all this TV chatter I promise… more on that later.

What’s Cookin’

I’m going to do a Sunday Dinner rapid fire here because I was damn proud of this one. A meal that came together all stemming from needing to use up the ramps I bought at the market a week ago. So here was the menu:

• Whipped Ricotta Toast, two ways: sardines and pistachios, grilled ramps

• Ramp Pesto Spaghetti – this recipe was awesome and worked perfectly mixing with the pasta water (reminder, always save some pasta water!)

• Chicken Cutlet, the classic

Top 10 Food Television Shows

I have some vivid memories sitting in front of my small kitchen television after school, at night or weekend mornings watching The Food Network and other cable shows about food (in regular rotation with Nickelodeon, the Disney Channel and Cartoon Network, of course). But something about the food shows stuck with me.

Alton Brown’s Good Eats probably should’ve stuck with me more for better science grades in school. Rachel Ray’s 30 Minute Meals were fascinatingly quick. Ina and Lidia seemed like cool aunts who just naturally loved cooking and only existed in home kitchens within a tv screen. And although I probably didn’t understand much of what Anthony Bourdain was talking about back then, I felt like I was traveling the world with him.

And as I got older, the shows got into more competitions (Top Chef, MasterChef, Chopped), chaos (Hell’s Kitchen, Dinner Impossible) and craziness (Bizarre Foods, Man vs. Food).

I do have to take a bit of a pause here as I read back all those shows because I think food television, and the food scene in general, has gotten better about this and has work to do still – showcasing diversity in the food scene is important. Food is such a natural way to connect with others. I’m thankful to live in a city that recognizes different cultures and cuisines as well as that I have the privilege to travel and experience even more.

Just a little side note because I think even my top 10 just starts to scratch the surface of great talent that exists across television, and it’s worth shouting out the many crushing it on YouTube, Substack and other outlets as well.

So without further adieu, here’s my all-too-short, scratching-the-surface-of-tangents top 10 food-related shows I’ve watched, in no particular order.

The Bear

I had to. I had to start with The Bear. It’s hands-down the best show I’ve watched in years. And every time I mention it, I have to preface to people that I love it for so much more than just because it’s a show about a restaurant. The cast, perfect. The writing, perfect. The visuals, perfect. I think I fell in love with every character for different reasons.

Those that have seen it need no convincing. But to everyone who hasn’t… please make this your next watch. It’s funny, emotional, fun, infuriating, tense, and who knows, maybe even you will wear suits now.

Favorite episode: S2E6, Fishes

Top Chef

This might be the only show that I can say I’ve watched all 20+ seasons of. Bringing together the best of the best every single year to battle it out cooking for world-renowned chefs. Featuring new city and its local cultures and what makes them special. The early seasons were raw and exposed quite a bit of the realities of working in kitchens. The new seasons are incredibly creative, both from the contestants but also the challenges they come up with. But the classic will always be a favorite (wink wink at this week): Restaurant Wars.

Favorite seasons (I think): Chicago S4, Colorado S15, LA All Stars S17

Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown & No Reservations

I really don’t have to say much other than the fact that this is the man that made food shows interesting. That’s mostly in the focus of travel and documentary style shows, but Anthony Bourdain was special. There’s a reason that so many people attach such fame to his name and the places he features.

Like I said before, I remember watching his shows when I was younger, only to go back and watch them when I was much older and actually understood what he was talking about or even what he was doing when he traveled to different countries. It’s amazing what he was able to capture and how easily he was able to dive into cultures. Many others have shared much better words than these about his many works, but he really was one of one.

Favorite episodes: any that he tortured fellow chef and friend Eric Ripert, and maybe when delighted him with a trip to French Laundry – only Thomas Keller would think about and execute ice cream that tastes like cigarettes.

Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy

Doesn’t everyone dream to be welcomed across all parts of Italy, and be fed by the best of the best chefs and Italian grandmothers alike who have been cooking all their lives? Stanley Tucci is the man, plain and simple. He’s the star of Big Night, one of my favorite movies. And he’s the perfect person to guide us on hour long episodes around the Italian countryside, coast line and islands. Can you tell he’d be at my all-time dinner table if / whenever I have that?

Favorite epi…. just watch all of it.

Somebody Feed Phil

I’m rounding out this type of travel show with Phil Rosenthal. I know this might be a controversial take because the Everybody Loves Raymond writer and director isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. He’s a goofball – very different than the two guys mentioned above. But his energy and affection for food and people in general is a bright spot for so many things.

A couple favorite parts of each episode: when he’d call his dad for a joke, which later turned into friends calling in for a joke for his dad. Wholesome television. And also when he’d gather everyone that he met with during his time in that particular city for a meal around the table. Again it’s just showing the power of food and showing respect to the people who shared part of them with him and the crew, and us of course.

Most memorable episode: Maine, specifically featuring Red’s Eats lobster roll… yes my favorite bite ever.

Great British Bakeoff

Talk about wholesome… these bakers, the hosts, the judges, the tent. If I were to pick a show to forget about the outside world for a second, I’d press play and jump right into the tent. I love being able to relate to the home baker challenges, and also seeing how much each contestant wants to support each other through everything. No egos.

Frankly I can’t even pick a favorite because I think every season is just such a fun watch. Maybe I’d choose Matty, a school teacher who had to tell his class that his girlfriend was the one baking for the longest time.

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat

Samin, Samin, Samin. She’s fun and so damn knowledgable. (And she just released her second book after what felt like disappearing for a while!) This Netflix show is so worth it for any level of cook. Based on her book of the same name, Samin Nosrat travels the world exploring the foundations of food. It’s not nearly as in depth as the long, long book, and the mini series travels to different country to share about each of the cooking cornerstones.

Watch it all! After all, it’s just a miniseries. Much less instructional than a book.

Diners, Drive-ins and Dives

“I’m Guy Fieri, and we’re rollin’ out. Lookin’ for America’s Greatest Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." It’s what my family heard many times over when I was younger no matter the time, and it’s probably what’s still on tv late at night or randomly throughout the day. This show was the perfect combo of character from Guy and pure energy from the featured restaurants. Interviews with the people at the restaurants too. I remember so badly wanting to be on tv talking about a local spot.

Favorite feature: Funk N’ Waffles – this probably isn’t the episode that I laughed at the most because Guy said “Donkey Sauce” or one that really was flashy with the location, but the location is exactly what makes it so special to me. A Syracuse, NY’s feature that I frequented often during college, whether with friends or my family.

Bonus Reddit fun from r/starterpacks:

The Chef Show

Jon Favreau knows A LOT of people. One of those people is the one-and-only chef Roy Choi, who helped him learn for the movie Chef, another favorite. So combine actors, directors, other chefs with Jon who is constantly curious about learning cooking techniques. The stories are endless and the meals always turn out so good. Sometimes he’s in a studio kitchen, and other times he’s traveling to places like Franklin Barbecue in Austin, or Pizzana in LA.

Favorite episodes, hints above: S1E7 with Aaron Franklin, S1E10 at Pizzana

Chef’s Table

Without even knowing, I’ve saved the most beautiful for last. This is my true comfort show. I’ve watch every episode at least twice. It is truly stunning what the best in the world are capable of, and the way that this show captures not just the food but the stories of the chefs is amazing. Showcasing the best ranked chefs in the world deserves the beauty of this show. And the way that they’ve adapted it to spin-off’s is special: France, Pastry, BBQ, Pizza, and most recently Noodles.

Favorite episodes… really, you’re going to make me pick???: S1E1 with Massimo Battura, S3E4 with Ivan Orkin, S5E1 with Philly’s own Cristina Martinez, S BBQ E3 with Rodney Scott, S Pizza E1 with Chris Bianco, S Noodles E1 with Evan Funke, S7E1 with Philly’s own Nok Suntaranon, S7E2 with Kwame Onwuachi. (I told you I can’t pick.)

If I’m being totally honest, that is far too many words to describe things you watch for my liking. But I tried to keep it short and simple. And if you haven’t seen ANY of these somehow… there’s your list. You genuinely can’t go wrong with any of them. I had plans to do some honorable mentions about YouTube channels I’ve put in a lot of hours on, but that’s more content for another time. I wish I could watch a lot of those shows for the first time again. Maybe that’s just my reminder that I’ve only watched season 3 of The Bear once… time for a rewatch of the whole show I guess!

Permission to rot a little in front of the tv this week 🤘