Local Chefs Share Their Favorite Cooking Shows
From competition series to classic culinary storytelling, cooking shows continue to inspire chefs in kitchens around the world. We asked local Lowcountry chefs which shows they love most — and why these programs still shape how they cook, create and think about food.
Favorite Cooking Shows According to Lowcountry Chefs
Cassandra’s Kitchen Store
“Barefoot Contessa. I love to look for inspiration of what
to cook next.”
– Cassandra Schultz
Truffles Café
“Beat Bobby Flay, because of all of the different styles of cooking represented on the show.”
– Price Beall
Michael Anthony’s Cucina Italiana
“My favorite show is The Mind of a Chef. It was produced by Anthony Bourdain and ran for 6-7 seasons. It was on PBS and included some of my favorite chefs, David Chang and Sean Brock.”
– Chef Will Overacre
Cactus Street Cantina
“I love Top Chef because they’re so talented, and the challenge Restaurant Wars is one of my favorites. It’s amazing to see what they come up with.”
– Tracy Wilson
Lulu Kitchen
“It’s an oldie but a goodie: Great Chefs of the World. I used to run home after school to watch it, as it came on at around 3. Chefs like Albert and Michel Roux, Bernard Loiseau and Raymond Blanc had fantastic dishes. This show was the inspiration for my own culinary journey.”
– Chef Scott Hastings
Why Chefs Love Cooking Shows
Competition shows highlight technique and creativity, while documentary-style series explore culture, ingredients and personal stories. Together, they shape how chefs think about food — both on and off the screen.
