Cooking shows are a dime a dozen today, with several networks and daytime TV series devoted to foodie entertainment. But a true culinary documentary is rare. Enter Netflix, which offers two original programs that examine food in a beautiful, critical way.
Chef’s Table elevates the genre from baking competitions and restaurant rescues to a more serious cinematic experience. Each of the six episodes delves into the life of a top international chef. Their styles range from avant-garde cuisine fit for a contemporary art museum to ethically minded true farm-to-table fare, but they each exhibit the mad-genius passion necessary for such a demanding career.
Cooked, from food writer Michael Pollan (who coined the advice “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants”), focuses less on famous chefs and more on our own non-professional experiences in the kitchen. In four parts, the show explores the elements of earth, air, fire and water and how these have been used to prepare food over time. Cooked looks at the power of sharing a meal and the importance of knowing not only where our food comes from, but how to cook it as well.
Both are now streaming all episodes. Chef’s Table Season 2 premieres on the platform May 27.
WEDNESDAY 27
The Path (Hulu) – When Ashley’s family faces eviction, Hawk brings them to the compound. Sarah reflects on her past as she grapples with her son’s relationship with an IS. Cal makes a bold move as the group’s leader.
States of Undress (10 p.m., VICELAND) – Hailey visits Russia, where sanctions on Western clothing keep luxury items expensive, but the demand for the fashions keeps growing.
THURSDAY 28
Inside Amy Schumer (10 p.m., Comedy Central) – Amy discusses her “brave” photoshoot with Annie Leibovitz, wins an Oscar, learns to get what she wants and eats garbage carbs.
SATURDAY 30
Chris Hardwick: Funcomfortable (Premiere, 10 p.m., Comedy Central) – Nerdist creator, The Walking Dead group therapy leader and king of geeks, Chris Hardwick, talks fetishes, ’90s music and how he used humor to overcome the grief following his father’s death.
SUNDAY 01
Fear the Walking Dead (9 p.m., AMC) – After literally cutting ties with last week’s survivors, the group welcomes a family in need onto the boat. As Nick searches for one of Strand’s associates, more about this mysterious yachtie’s story comes to light.
Game of Thrones (9 p.m., HBO) – Bran is back. We haven’t seen the little lord since Season 4 (nor Rickon since Season 3 — does anyone still care about Rickon, Osha and Shaggydog?), when he finally met the Three-Eyed Raven. Bran’s been honing his abilities with him since then (fingers crossed for a training montage). Elsewhere, Jaime councils Tommen, the Night’s Watch defends Thorne and Ramsay plots to storm Castle Black.
Silicon Valley (10 p.m., HBO) – Dinesh and Gilfoyle approve of the new Pied Piper, but Richard still has doubts.
MONDAY 02
RuPaul’s Drag Race (9 p.m., Logo) – The final four perform in RuPaul’s music video for “The Realness” (this season’s runway anthem).
TUESDAY 03
The Mindy Project (Hulu) – Mindy tries her hand at online dating.
CONTACT JAC KERN: jkern@citybeat.com, @jackern
This article appears in Apr 27 – May 4, 2016.