5 Fun Shows to Watch While Cooking

When we were house hunting in 2010, the housing market was still on a downward slope in California. A lot has changed in the last 9 years around here, especially the housing prices.  But back then we had the luxury of walking through many open houses and taking our time with decisions and negotiating prices.  One thing I knew I wanted for sure besides a quiet street, a good school district and 4 bedrooms, was an open concept main living space.  As a mom of two-year-old twins and a third on the way, this was important. I wanted to be able to cook, watch the kids, and sometimes when things are just quiet enough around here, be in the kitchen and still see the TV in the family room.  

Sometimes I turn on the news but when I want to be inspired in the kitchen or help get rid of any stress while I chop out some frustrations, these are my favorite things to indulge in.  

I hope you enjoy the list.  Whether you agree or disagree, I hope you maybe find a new favorite show or rewatch an old favorite.  I would love to hear what you like to watch while in the kitchen. I am always looking for new favorites especially feel-good shows.

Gilmore Girls 

Lorelai and Rory not only have great mother-daughter banter, but they cannot cook which always makes me laugh.  If they are not getting take out, living off frozen french fries and cupcakes, then they can be found at Luke's diner.   The small town of Star's Hollow, especially the gazebo and The Dragonfly Inn, is always sure to melt away the stresses of my day.  There are so many great foods and coffee quotes from this show, I can never repeat enough of them. My favorite still is “I can’t stop drinking the coffee, I stop drinking coffee, I stop doing the standing, and the walking, and the words-putting-into-sentences doing.”

The Goldbergs

This is a family-friendly show so if I am cooking and the kids are around, we enjoy this one together.  The “smother” of the show, Beverly, has some great cooking moments and because it is set in "1980-something", it often brings me back to memories of my years growing up as a teen. (yes this is often because Beverly Goldberg has a mouth on her and my own mother does as well).  The Goldbergs live outside of Philadelphia and some of the East Coast eats brings back some of my own Brooklyn family memories. At my Godmother's house, it was a lot of huge dinners in the basement of her brownstone. It usually included huge bowls of pasta, roasted meats and fruit was the dessert of choice.  Some of those foods mentioned in The Goldbergs that are nostalgic for me include “shrimp parm”, lasagna, latkes with mounds of sour cream, and of course, Philly cheesesteaks.

Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown (No Reservations etc) 

Anything with food and travel has always been something I could not get enough of. When I read Kitchen Confidential when it first came out and followed that with Cook’s Tour, I knew someone beat me to a dream job.  For many years I have "kitchen stool" traveled through Bourdain’s journeys. I enjoyed so many aspects of his shows and not just his love for so many different ethnic foods. Equally, I enjoyed his desire to encourage discussion and acceptance amongst so many cultures. I miss him but love to watch the repeats for both culinary and humanitarian inspiration any day of the week. 

Pioneer Woman 

Her life out on the frontier is so opposite to the hustle and bustle of California.  Between the homeschooling, ranch chores and open spaces, this is another show I like to watch because it takes my mind off of my daily life.  Yet with all those differences, what keeps me watching season after season is enjoying seeing how the commonality of family, food, writing, and photography is what we have in common even though our surroundings are so different.  Oh yeah and we both sorta write on blogs. She is a tad bit more successful and famous than me but who is counting? 

House Hunters

I am always fascinated by the housing markets across not just the United States but all over the world. As a California native with 1500sq foot homes costing over $1 million. It always cracks me up when a couple in Georgia just cannot fathom why their agent is showing them a home $5,000 over budget. Oh, the humanity!    I also like taking a peek into other floor plans, outdoor spaces and especially kitchens.  My favorite is seeing what kitchens look like in other countries. I often think I need to live abroad where appliances, countertops, and spaces are much smaller and just my size. It is a good way to play adult “make-believe” in my mind.

Bonus

Anything on Hallmark Channel is also a favorite of mine. This is especially true each December as I am baking. Something about watching couples finally find their holiday romance that seems to make the goodies a little sweeter.  

What shows do you like to watch while cooking?  What shows inspire you to get cooking?  Do you prefer music, audio books, silence or some other background enjoyment while in the kitchen?