Whether one is a food connoisseur or simply someone with a taste for good food, the joy of discovering a new dish or tasting a favorite dish is a universal human experience That is why many people watch gourmet TV programs and documentaries in order to indulge their palates with flavorful dishes And let's not forget how much fun it is to watch the chefs themselves, as they engage in heated battles with each other and present recipes that can be recreated at home (or at least, imagined to be recreated at home)

Whatever your taste, Netflix is the perfect streaming network to watch your favorite dishes come to life Just in time for lunch or dinner, we want to review some of the best cooking shows available right now

Though rarely advertised, "Flavorful Origins" is one of Netflix's most compelling food shows It takes viewers on a journey through China, exploring the region's most famous culinary ingredients and specific recipes Each episode is about 12 minutes long and offers a close-up look at how a particular ingredient is grown, a recipe using that ingredient, and a glimpse of the people who enjoy it

It can be seen as a unique series, as it does not feature as many personal stories as a typical food documentary The drone views, incredible photography, and scenic shots are appealing to the eye (and the palate) Like a buffet, each episode is a stand-alone piece, so you can pick and choose which episodes you want to watch without feeling like you're missing out

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Philip Rosenthal now steps in front of the camera with his food documentary series "Somebody Feed Phil" For those who don't know his name, he is the creator and writer of the "Everybody Loves Raymond" series The previous version of his food show, "I'll Have What Phil's Having," aired on PBS before it moved to Netflix and took on a new name In this series, Philip travels the world, eats good food, and meets interesting people

In addition to the delicious food portrayed, Phil's personality lights up the screen In the show, he never comes across as pretentious or snobbish He has a great attitude and it shows He also brings in a special guest in the later seasons to talk about his discoveries and close the show

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"Iron Chef" was a cooking show that aired in Japan in the 1990s and resonated with fans around the world; since it went off the air in 2002, it has spawned numerous spin-offs To this day, it continues to capture viewers' interest, and Netflix launched its own version of the series with "Iron Chef: In Search of the Iron Legend It didn't have the magic of the original, but it was still exciting to watch

Kristen Kish co-stars alongside food TV's biggest star, Alton Brown, as they try their hand at creating recipes using secret ingredients Even if you are not the cooking type, it is fun and interesting to watch their creations There will also be guest judges who will be tasting the dishes and debating them together from home

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Filmed in Covington, Georgia, "Barbecue Showdown" gives the best pitmasters a chance to show off their barbecue and smoking skills Each episode begins with eight contestants facing a variety of challenges Unlike most cooking show competitions, this one has minimal drama It is all about the fun as each contestant shows off his or her skills and cheers each other on as the show progresses

One quirk you may notice is that the contestants do not change clothes between episodes This is supposedly to make the production a little easier, but it adds an odd element and is a little distracting Other than that, it's a fun show to watch if you like barbecue You might even find some tips you can use at your next barbecue

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"Chef's Table" is a Netflix hit, running for six seasons and rumored to be coming back It offers a glimpse into the inner lives of countless famous chefs, including Massimo Bottura, Ben Shewry, Dominique Crenn, Rodney Scott, and many more The program explores a variety of culinary experts, from pastry chefs to barbecue experts to the brains behind some of the world's most famous restaurants It will also examine the challenges and artistic motivations that have brought these chefs to where they are today

If you are a food lover, you won't want to miss this series if you haven't had a chance to see it yet It is a rewarding sensory experience, both visually and taste-wise Later seasons have focused on chefs and restaurants that are more accessible to the general public, introducing a more diverse array of chefs

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