Food lovers, get excited. It’s already been a massive year for food shows on Australian screens so far, but there are so many more to gear up for. From foraged gourmet delights to international street food, we’ve gathered the very best in foodie TV to watch now and to pop in your viewing diary for later. Stomachs, at the ready.
Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen Notebook Melbourne (SBS)
Our favourite little French kitchen moves to a little Melbourne kitchen in Rachel Khoo’s newest series, Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen Notebook Melbourne. The gorgeous young Brit takes her polkadots and colourful cardigans to the kitchens of some of Melbourne’s most renowned cafes, restaurants and foodies to bring us a new take on modern Australian cooking. Rachel reveals Melbourne’s rich multicultural food scene (inspired by Melbourne’s melting pot of 140 nationalities), and plenty of hidden Melbourne gems along the way.
Ainsley Harriott’s Street Food (SBS)
Foodie favourite Ainsley Hariott is back on our screens with his latest endeavor, Ainsley Harriott’s Street Food. The nine-part series sees Ainsley take to the streets of Istanbul, Barbados, Rejkjavik, Taipei, Amman, Fez, Madrid, Palermo and Osaka to uncover the exciting world of the local food haunts your Lonely Planet doesn’t tell you about. Think back-street kebabs, prawn and peanut pan-fried udon, and Salt cod fritters with pineapple salsa.
Chef’s Table (Netflix)
David Gelb, creator of foodie documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi, brings you the story of six of the world’s best chefs, including Ben Shewry of Attica, Melbourne, Francis Mallmann of El Restaurante Patagonia Sur, Buenos Aires, Magnus Nilsson of Fäviken, Järpen, Niki Nakayama of N/Naka Restaurant, Los Angeles, Dan Barber of Blue Hill Restaurant, New York City and Massimo Bottura of Osteria Francescana, Modena. The series will showcase the chefs’ restaurants, kitchens, and award winning food.
River Cottage Australia (Lifestyle)
Australia’s take on the original British series, the second season of River Cottage Australia follows chef-turned-farmer Paul West as he explores the delights and defeats of running his own farm in central Tilba, NSW. Some of Paul’s recipe highlights include his Sea Urchin on Toast and Macadamia and Pink Peppercorn Nut Cheese.
The Cook and the Chef (Lifestyle)
Iconic self-taught Victorian cook Maggie Beer and highly trained professional chef Simon Bryant come together for the fourth and final season of one of our all time favourites, The Cook and The Chef. The Cook and The Chef aren’t about showing off, they’re about celebrating the bliss of fresh, local produce, and how every Australian can create beautiful, inspired dishes in their own home. Catch them before they go on Lifestyle.
Jimmy’s Australian Food Adventure (Lifestyle)
Another foodie Brit who’s hit our shores this year is farmer and food lover Jimmy Doherty with Jimmy’s Australian Food Adventure. Jimmy takes an epic adventure through the heart of the country across Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory. From crocodile wrangling in the Northern Territoty wetlands to bee keeping on Kangaroo Island, Jimmy is joined by some of Australia’s leading chefs, farmers and brewers as he explores some of the country’s most surprising culinary delights.
Coming soon:
Poh & Co (SBS)
‘I’m back! And I have so much more to share.’ Says Poh Ling Yeow, star of Poh & Co. We fell in love with the former Masterchef contestant when she first appeared on our screens in 2009, and am ecstatic to hear she’ll be back again in the second season of Poh & Co. Season one of the show saw Poh and her family and friends set up a market stall, build an edible garden and invent the world’s first fridge tattoo! In the next season, Poh promises to take audiences even deeper into her chaotic, complicated and wonderfully creative world, jam-packed with delicious dishes from Poh’s repertoire, along with delicious Malaysian classics and a few secret family recipes.
Destination Flavour Scandinavia (SBS)
After bringing us the best of Japan and Australia, Destination Flavour will be returning to Australian screens in 2016. The new season will see foodies Adam Liaw, Renee Lim and Lily Serna bring us the best dishes and breathtaking scenery from around Scandinavia.
Food Safari Fire (SBS)
After a two year hiatus, much loved food presenter Maeve O’Meara will be back on our screens for Food Safari’s seventh season, Food Safari Fire. This season will see Maeve touring the backyards and kitchens of families from around the country, exploring (and tasting) the diverse ways different cuisines use flame, smoke and ancient cooking devices to create amazing, unique dishes.