The best food and cooking shows on TV

Calling all foodies! 🧑‍🍳 Whether you’re looking to impress at your next dinner party or just want some home-cooked inspiration, check out our top picks of mouth-watering cooking shows to watch for free on Freesat:

Ravneet Gill’s Chop House

Food Network, starts Thursday 9th October at 9pm

Step inside the whirlwind world of pastry chef and presenter Ravneet Gill and her husband Mattie as they take on their boldest venture yet — opening their very first restaurant. From renovations and recipe testing to menu writing and managing the chaos, this series offers a heartfelt glimpse into the triumphs and challenges of building a restaurant from scratch. Expect laughter, highs and lows, and plenty of mouth-watering moments along the way!

Ainsley’s National Trust Cook Off

Watch on ITVX and STV Player (Scotland)

Are you passionate about cooking and looking to transform your garden’s produce into delicious home-grown dishes? Then you don’t want to miss Ainsley Harriott as he heads to various National Trust destinations to host a light-hearted competition with two guest chefs in an attempt to win ‘Dish of the Day’. Join Ainsley every Saturday morning for some delicious recipes!

Jamie: What to Eat this Week

Stream on Channel 4

Add a dash of summer to the table with some of Jamie Oliver’s favourite recipes! Using a variety of season ingredients, Jamie creates dishes to get your taste buds in that summer mood! From griddled chicken with rainbow slaw to delicious mackerel served on a bed of sundried tomato couscous – this show has it all!

Nadiya's Simple Spices

BBC iPlayer

Nadiya Hussain is on a mission to prove that cooking with spices can be effortless. Armed with just eight basic spices, she's here to show you how to create dishes for any occasion. Join Nadiya as she starts with four of her all-time favourite comfort dishes, including a lentil dal infused with bay leaves and a luscious cumin tarka, a tempting cheese and onion loaf with a hint of chili and cumin, and a rejuvenating seafood broth loaded with wholesome greens and succulent tiger prawns.

Nigella: At My Table

Watch on BBC iPlayer

Join the delightful Nigella Lawson in her celebration of the food she adores cooking for friends and family right in the comfort of her own home. In this series, she unveils a treasure trove of recipes that exude warmth, comfort, and inspiration. Discover her latest culinary gems like Turkish-inspired eggs and satisfy your sweet cravings with her emergency brownies. As if that's not enough, Nigella effortlessly whips up a simple yet scrumptious chicken and pea tray-bake perfect for a relaxed gathering around the table. Plus, brace yourself for her ingenious twist on using a spiralizer…

Prue Leith's Cotswold Kitchen

Stream on ITVX

Escape to Prue Leith's charming Cotswolds kitchen as she shares a collection of her most treasured recipes! Joined by her right-hand man husband, John, Prue unveils her cleverest kitchen hacks and ingenious shortcuts, promising to make even the most ambitious dishes feel effortlessly achievable. Get ready for heartwarming food and invaluable tips, all served with Prue's signature warmth and wit.

Come Dine With Me

Stream on Channel 4

This drama-filled show features five amateur chefs from the same town or area, who take it in turns to host a three-course dinner party for the other contestants. At the end of each evening the competitors individually vote on the host’s food and hosting skills. With a £1000 cash prize everyone’s competitive sides come out! Narrated by Dave Lamb.

MasterChef USA, S13

Watch on U

Some of the series’ most memorable chefs will be returning to the kitchen for a second chance to impress the judges, Gordon Ramsay,  Aaron Sanchez and Joe Bastianich, and win the title of MasterChef. 

Big Zuu’s Big Eats

Watch on U

BAFTA-winning chef and grime artist Big Zuu along with mates Tubsey and Hyder head across the country to cook for different celebs including Johnny Vegas, Katherine Ryan, Lucy Beaumont and many more. With some serious food envy and serious comedy, Big Zuu’s Big Eats may be the most fun cooking show around! 

Bake Off: The Professionals

Stream on Channel 4

Bake Off: The Professionals has returned with its 9th season and the search for Britain’s best patisserie team is on! Liam Charles and Ellie Taylor welcome a fresh batch of pastry chefs.

MasterChef Australia 

Watch on U

MasterChef Australia returns, with a twist! For the first time ever, 12 home cooks will be competing against 12 former contestants in Fans & Favourites to be judged by Andy Allen, Jock Zonfrillo and Melissa Leong.  

Marcus Wareing Simply Provence

Watch now on BBC iPlayer 

At the heart of the finest French cuisine lies one key ingredient: it’s not wine, it’s not cheese and it’s not frogs’ legs, it is in fact… tomato! Michelin-starred chef Marcus Wareing heads to France to discover the ultimate Provençal dishes unlocking the secrets to simple, seasonal cuisine and even adding a British twist to the classics!