Cooking show - Definition and Overview

A TV cooking show is a television program that presents the preparation of food, in a kitchen on the studio set. The host of the show, usually a chef, prepares a special dish over the course of the show, walking the viewing audience step by step through the preparation of the meal. Cooking shows are meant to be educational, as the host teaches the viewing audience how to prepare a different meal with each episode of the show; though some cooking shows (such as Iron Chef) are intended simply for entertainment.

While rarely high-rated, cooking shows have been a popular staple of daytime TV programming since the earliest days of television. They are generally very inexpensive to produce, making them a cheap and easy way for a TV station to fill a half-hour (or sometimes 60 minute) TV episode.

A number of cooking shows have run for many seasons, especially when they are sponsored by local TV stations or by public broadcasting. The more popular cooking shows have had flamboyant hosts whose unique personalities have made them into celebrities.

Famous cooking shows include:

• The Cookin' Cajun
• Emeril Live (Emeril Lagasse)
• The French Chef (Julia Child)
• The Frugal Gourmet (Jeff Smith)
• Good Eats (Alton Brown)
• Iron Chef
• The Naked Chef (Jamie Oliver)
• Two Fat Ladies
• Wok with Yan
• Yan Can Cook (Martin Yan)

The cable TV channel Food Network has showcased many cooking shows.