7 of the best food TV shows to watch right now

These foodie programmes are bound to inspire you to try new things in the kitchen

With most of us having an unprecedent amount of spare time on our hands, a wealth of shows available from a variety of streaming services and a great need for a bit of escapism, there hasn't been a better time to binge through feel-good food TV and find inspiration for your own meals. Here's our pick of the seven best food TV shows to watch right now.

Ugly Delicious

Watch two seasons of James Beard Award-winning chef David Chang travelling to culinary hot spots around the world and exploring food that defines these destinations. Joined by industry professionals and plenty of famous faces, David explores the world of pizza, from Naples to Brooklyn, tastes fried chicken from Nashville and South Korea to KFC and dives into the world of steaks, from upscale restaurants and cattle ranches to Outback Steakhouse.

A Flash in the Pan/Kyle Books

Recipe to make: bloody mary prawn tacos. With a whole episode dedicated to tacos, a sceptical David is introduced to the surprisingly diverse world of tacos. If this episode doesn’t leave you craving one, you’re doing something wrong.

Available on Netflix

The French Chef

The chef that started it all, Julia Child is an undisputed icon of the culinary world. Keen to break down barriers and bring exquisite French cookery into the homes of Americans, Julia became famous for her eccentric style that captured the hearts of millions. This is a real feel-good programme with plenty of helpful tips to learn along the way too.

Anna Pustynnikova/Shutterstock

Recipe to make: boeuf bourguignon. The one and only, this classic French recipe is probably Julia’s most famous and is also the subject of the light-hearted and easy-to-watch film Julie & Julia (available on Netflix).

Season 1 available on Amazon Prime Video

Street Food: Asia

If you're currently missing travelling and trying out new dishes and cuisines as much as we are, this is the perfect show for you. Diving deep into nine Asian cities known for their street food culture, each episode is as much a story about the food and the recipes as it is about the people who make it. It's a real feast for the eyes with plenty of heart-warming stories for the soul too.

Stir Crazy/Kyle Books

Recipe to make: Thai aubergine tom yum soup. A modern take on the famous Thai soup, this is the perfect recipe to satisfy your hot-and-sour Thai food cravings after watching the Bangkok episode and chef Jay Fai in action.

Available on Netflix

Cooking in the Doctor’s Kitchen

At a time when keeping fit and healthy is more topical than ever, Dr Rupy Aujla (an NHS doctor) rustles up quick and delicious dishes that are packed with vitamins and nutrients key to a healthier life. With plenty of plant-based recipes as well as family-friendly ideas, Dr Rupy gives practical advice on how to boost your and your family's health through food.

The Doctor’s Kitchen/Harper Thorsons

Recipe to make: chicken skewers with apple and pea chutney. This recipe is a great example of how healthy and nutritious food can be fun, delicious and easy to make. It’s packed with flavour and the whole family is sure to love it.

Available on BBC iPlayer

Ainsley’s Mediterranean Cookbook

The perfect dose of a virtual holiday we all need right now, the programme features plenty of delicious recipes, stunning views and UK chef Ainsley Harriott's infectious laugh that's bound to bring a smile to your face. The 10-part series sees him journey through Spain, Morocco, Cyprus and plenty more Mediterranean countries, cooking fresh and healthy recipes along the way.

Ainsley’s Mediterranean Cookbook/Ebury Press

Recipe to make: one-pot harissa chicken and apricot pilaf. Allow yourself to be transported to the North African side of the Mediterranean with the flavours of a Moroccan tagine. A quick and easy recipe for a weeknight supper, this is a good one to have in your repertoire.

Available on ITV Hub and on ITV on Sundays at 10:30am.

Liam Bakes

Fronted by our favourite star of The Great British Bake Off, Liam Charles, this baking programme will let your worries melt away as you watch Liam bake some of his most out-there inventions, including cola cream and cherry eclairs, chocolate orange shortbread for an ice cream sandwich and a savoury doughnut slider with crispy katsu chicken. 

Original Flava/Bloomsbury

Recipe to make: American cheesecake with banana fritters. We guarantee you won’t be able to watch the series without a sweet treat in hand. Liam is all about adding his own spin to much-loved classics so this is a great recipe to get you inspired to come up with your own twists on popular bakes.

Available on My4

Nadiya’s Time to Eat

For some practical tips on how not to get stressed out when cooking for the whole family, Nadiya's Time to Eat is a brilliant selection of stress-free and time-saving recipes that the whole family will love. The recipes also use plenty of store cupboard ingredients, featuring them in innovative and creative ways. There are recipes for everything, from effortless chicken suppers to sweet treats.

Time to Eat/Michael Joseph

Recipe to make: Thai red pepper soup. One of our favourite recipes from the accompanying cookbook, this soup is an ode to a well-stocked store cupboard and proves that you can make the most delicious dishes with the simplest ingredients and minimal effort.

Available on BBC iPlayer

Lead image: ITV