Jun 9

Jun 9 Netflix Shows for Culinary Enthusiasts

Spending time at home has inspired me to experiment with new recipes and enjoy more meals with family. On social media, food trends have surged in popularity. Some examples are the trendy Dalgona whipped coffee or more classic favourites such as banana bread or sourdough. I have always enjoyed food (who doesn’t). But, besides being consumed, food is created and shared. For some, food is a craft. For others, food means connecting with friends and family. Most importantly, though, food is fuel for all of us. These three shows on Netflix highlight the behind the scenes of food from the creation of food as art and culture to enjoyment of a dish.

1. Ugly Delicious

Ugly Delicious starring celebrity chef David Chang has become one of the most popular shows on Netflix. The title struck me at first because of its seeming oxymoron. How can delicious food be labelled as “ugly”? However, as I progressed through the episodes, it became apparent that “ugly” was meant to draw our attention to the taste of food rather than how it is prepared and where it is served. David Chang is notably known for his restaurants under the “Momofuku” restaurant groups and his collaboration with Christina Tossi on “Milk Bar.”

Each episode features a particular type of staple dish but with an examination of the meaning that people ascribe to it. In one of the episodes, he enters a conversation over whether “Domino’s Pizza” can be considered good pizza or if "tuna sashimi” can be an acceptable pizza topping. The episodes are intriguing as they prompt us to question basic assumptions about food in terms of authenticity, enjoyment, and innovation. Chang even travels to destinations such as Italy and China to taste local foods and interview chefs. Chang shows us that food doesn’t have to be 3-star Michelin to be delicious, but rather it is the fond memories and experiences that we associate with foods that make it satisfying.

2. Street Food

Spending a part of my childhood in Southeast Asia, I developed a love for street food. Bowls of laksa, hainan chicken rice, and curry could be easily obtained at unpretentious venues known as Hawker venues. Understandably, my dad had a weak spot for street food, claiming that it was comforting in a way that high-end restaurants could not compare with. The Netflix series made me extremely nostalgic, and I would say that this is a testament its ability to incorporate storytelling with food. street food is enjoyed because it is so accessible, convenient, affordable, and tasty (of course).

Each episode is set in a different region and showcases some of the signature dishes while also showing a glimpse of daily lives on both sides of the interaction (those who make the food and those who consume the food). This series manages to draw out a major cultural element that is associated with food.

3. Chef’s Table

This third show on the list is more focused on both the personal and professional lives of some of the most renowned chefs in the world. The route to a successful culinary career is paved with sacrifices and challenges from pressures from family life to the criticism faced by chefs who innovate and defy tradition. Watching this show revealed to me how chefs think about food. For some, art is expressed musically through sound. For chefs, art is expressed through a dish. Each dish is a work of art that they want to perfect and personalize to create a distinct flavour profile.