The Top 100 Cooking Shows of All-Time

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Broadcast:	BBC 1996-1999

The title is not misleading, they really are two fat ladies. They sure can cook, though, and they're hilarious.

It's a ton of fun listening to these old biddies bitching and moaning about something or other while they sluggishly slave over some rich concoction that is, nine time out of ten, quite good.

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Broadcast:	BBC 1986

When you watch Keith Floyd cook, you're upset that you can't be there with him. He's loose with his recipes and with his wine intake — both contribute greatly to the overall fun of the show.

"Floyd on Food" is one of his many stints cooking on T.V. but they're all equally as good.

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Broadcast:	BBC 2007

Rick Stein can cook just about anything, but his true genius shows through when he prepares seafood. The wealth of information he provides throughout his show is at once overwhelming, but appreciated.

Rick has numerous restaurants, cook books and TV shows to his name and he handles them all wonderfully.

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Broadcast:	PBS 2009-

Joanne Weir's Cooking Class is a cooking show for the true beginner. The entire premise is that Weir takes someone with little knowledge of cooking and teaches them delicious and complex meals.

For those just getting into cooking for themselves or their family it's a great way to learn recipes that you can use instantly.

For those with a little more in-depth knowledge, the show might get boring, but could provide a few laughs at the expense of some kitchen greenhorns.

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Broadcast:	Discovery Channel 1990

"Great Chefs of the West" is another show in the Great Chefs line and it carries on the tradition well. Western US cooking has a lot to offer and this show highlights some of its best recipes.

The show aired in the days before big time celebrity names and it feels like it — the production value isn't terribly high, but the "characters" aren't obnoxious either.

Overall, a great pick that stands the test of time.

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Broadcast:	ABC Australia 2006-

"The Cook and the Chef" is a gem. The types of cooking and the recipes are well-researched and presented in a straightforward and concise manner.

The hosts are congenial, fun to watch and there's even a little humor thrown in.

Sadly, not all viewers agreed, leading to its recent cancellation. It will be missed.

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Broadcast:	Channel 10 1997-

Huey's been on the air for quite some time in Australia and it's not hard to see why. His demeanor is endearing, his speech calm, and he pleads sincerely when he doesn't want you to over-spice something. It's like watching your grandfather in the kitchen.

Huey gives you the feeling that he's not been on television long — his matter-of-fact way of explaining things shows how litte he's been groomed by marketers.

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Broadcast:	PBS 2005-

Daisy is clearly excited about what she's cooking. Her energy and desire for food spreads infectiously to the viewer.

Her food looks absolutely delicious and her Puerto Rican/Brooklyn accent expresses itself when she really gets going.

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Broadcast:	UKTV 2006-2009

This show effectively serves as an advertisement for some of Britain's well run businesses. The viewer doesn't feel duped, though, since the businesses deserve the publicity — their use of local organic foods is a good example of how restaurants and bed & breakfasts could be run.

It's refreshing to see businesses being celebrated and congratulated for being healthy and responsible. The recipes are tasty as well and, in most cases, are actually original.

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Broadcast:	PBS 2004, 2008

Jacques Pépin doesn't need to waste a lot of energy trying to entertain you. He gets right to the point.

The point in Pépin's case is awesome food that doesn't take much effort. He's a relaxed teacher and has the approval of noted chefs like Julia Child who he appeared with on "Julia and Jacques: Cooking at Home." Pépin is a real pro and a genius in the kitchen.

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Broadcast:	YouTube 2007-

Clara Cannucciari is a true Sicilian treat. This daughter of Italian immigrants is now 91 years old but has a mind as sharp as a tack.

Her show is both a wonderful and relevant look into the time of the Great Depression. Clara's stories are interesting and her food is both cheap and delicious.

The production value is admirable — the camera angles are clever and the editing is fine. The equipment used is obviously not professional grade, but it doesn't detract one bit.

Clara is a winner and "Great Depression Cooking" is a big success.

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Broadcast:	PBS / WGBH 1963-1973

Newcomers to cooking can start with virtually no previous knowledge and Julia Child will teach everything required.

Her approach is both calming and welcoming and her food almost always turns out wonderfully. And when it doesn't, she shows you how to fix it.

Sadly, Julia's popularity and offbeat charm made her a prime target for being reduced to caricature. But if you can watch her show without seeing Meryl Streep's impersonation, you will enjoy it immensely.

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Broadcast:	PBS 1973-1997

Jeff Smith's "Frugal Gourmet" was one of those gems where entertainment and quality was completely understated.

He was a chef that actually loved to cook and the fact that he was being filmed was an afterthought.

Jeff had a face like Alan Ginsberg, but instead of spewing obscene poetry he was imparting delicious and practical cooking knowledge.

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Broadcast:	PBS 2008-

"Martin Yan's China" is the latest in the Martin Yan series of shows. Yan is one of those treats that comes around so rarely that you don't want to miss him while he's here. And it's certainly not hard to catch him.

Martin has hosted such spectacular shows as "Yan Can Cook," "Marting Yan's Hong Kong," and "Martin Yan's Chinatown." His craft is both an art and a science — the latter legitimized by his Cooking Science degree from U.C. Davis.

Yan is a pleasure to watch (if you can keep up when he's deboning a chicken in less than 18 seconds) and his meals are delicious. He doesn't come off as jaded despite his long running career — hopefully it will continue much longer.

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Broadcast:	CBC 1969-1971

Few of the new cooking show sensations have as much style as Graham Kerr. He is fun, funny and witty. His cooking is great, but was almost completely upstaged by his dynamic and endearing personality.

It should be noted that he's not slowed down a bit — continuing to produce cookbooks and working for such noble causes as the National Cancer Institute. Kerr is a class act, as was his show.

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Broadcast:	BBC2 2010

This BBC show plays like an independent film. The cinematography is dramatic, the music melancholic, and the beautiful Sophie Dahl makes you want to weep.

Then you remember it's a cooking show and you've burned your eggs benedict. The only criticism one can make is that it's almost too perfect.

Wonder where Sophie got her chops? You know Grandad Roald as the author of such iconic children's books as "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory".

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Broadcast:	BBC 1999-2001

The first of Jamie Oliver's TV successes, "The Naked Chef" launched the television career of this great chef and philanthropist.

Jamie really cares about the state of peoples' health and that shows through in his cooking. His food is simple and unadulterated by overproduced ingredients. Oliver will be around for a long time.

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Broadcast:	Food Network 1999-

"Good Eats" is, simply put, a supreme cooking show. The science of cooking and food is clearly explained, the host is a pleasure to watch and the food is delicious.

"Good Eats" has been described as a mix between "Bill Nye The Science Guy" and the History Channel — the description couldn't be more spot on.

Alton Brown is a load of fun and "Good Eats" is an exemplar of the genre.

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Broadcast:	Channel 4 2008-

As far as entertainment goes, it doesn't get much better than "Cookalong Live." This fast-paced show places novice cooks alongside foul-mouthed (and uncensored) Gordon Ramsay.

The result is a fun-loving atmosphere that makes the viewer forget he's watching a cooking show. Try cooking along with one of these episodes yourself.