I like food, especially a good sweet treat. But I know I need the personal accountability of a plan like following Weight Watchers. I find it helps me have a healthier relationship to food, how I choose to eat, and remember that food is fuel for my body not my emotions. I am trying to get better about attending my weekly Weight Watchers meeting and marking my planner as to what day each week I will go. Having a healthy relationship with food is not a one time thing, but an ongoing relationship of paying attention and being dedicated.
But a deeper connection beyond eating yummy food, is seeing the power and beauty of food as a force of community. There is something about sharing a table with people you love over laughter, good conversation, and delicious food. It is powerful, life-giving, transformative, and even healing.
Foodie Shows to Watch on Netflix (and How They Show Us the Beauty of Creation + Community)
With warmer summer weather arriving, we are in the time of year for outdoor parties, BBQs, and bonfires. I have noticed there have been a lot of good foodie shows I have been enjoying on Netflix that reflect these things.
Here is a sampling of some of my favorites that I have been watching.
Somebody Feed Phil
Were any of you Everybody Loves Raymond fans?! That is one of my all-time favorite shows. So when I saw this travel + food show with the executive producer of the show, I knew I had to check it out. It is so sweet, endearing, and really funny. I like to think of this show as a cleaner, gentler Anthony Bourdain, minus the sarcasm and swearing.
What I love about the show (and his earlier version called I’ll Have What Phil’s Having) is how Rosenthal forms genuine friendships and long-lasting connections with the people he meets as he eats his way through his travels. Food is a powerful way to bond with people. This show illustrates that reality is such a beautiful way.
This show is a great option for the whole family to watch together!
No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain
I know the late Bourdain is not everyone’s cup of tea. There is sarcasm and swearing, but I think the quality of the show and deeper message it reveals is unique and powerful. And what is that?
Bourdain captures the beauty, community, and hidden stories of a culture and people through talking about and tasting their food. I think he is an amazing storyteller. Specifically, I'm impressed by how he gets to know the locals. He will visit their home, learn about their family, and the political situation in a particular country. He will learn, and then tell the story of a certain group of people through food, community, and creativity.
While not a show you can watch with the little people in your life, it does give an interesting perspective on travel, food, and people.
Street Food
This one is a new-ish show to the Netflix lineup of foodie shows. If you are a fan of Asian food or culture, this one might be right up your alley. This show takes an inside look at the street food and the stories of people from each culture. It is fast-moving and holds your attention.
Street Food takes viewers to nine different Asian countries throughout its first season. Each episode highlights “the stories of perseverance and culture that bring to life each country’s cuisine.”
And deep down, isn’t that the deeper part of food and people, the stories that come out of this dual combination?
The Great British Baking Show
I mean, come on, who doesn’t love Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry?! As a lover of all sweet treats and dessert, I quickly fell in love with this British show.
One of the things I found most striking is the friendly, supportive community that forms amid all the different bakers participating in the challenge. Sometimes they help each other finish their piping and other times you see them dole out hugs when another teammate is a hot mess. I absolutely love this aspect of the show! In many seasons, you see them love and supporting each other like a family...even though it is a competition!
I think this show does a sweet job (pun intended) of showing the creativity and beauty that goes into food; but more importantly, how it can build and nurture community.
If you’re unfamiliar with this British classic, I would highly recommend it!
Enjoying Food and Community
So whatever your summer food plans are this year, check out one of these new foodie shows to give you some inspiration and remind you how food has deeper meaning of revealing community, creativity, and the beauty of creation.
What are some of your favorite foodies shows? Share them in the comments so we can all add to our lists!
Patty Breen serves as Ministry Formation Manager of Ascension Health and writes online in several different spaces. Her loves include CrossFit, writing and speaking, strong cups of coffee, Ignatian spirituality, and loving on her godchildren, niece, and nephew. Patty is passionate about messy and deep conversations at the intersection of faith, culture, and ministry. Find out more about her here.
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