The Cooking Art and How It Became on TV Shows

Cooking is one of the oldest and most universal forms of human expression. It is not only a way of satisfying our basic needs, but also a way of sharing our culture, creativity, and emotions. Cooking can be seen as an art, a science, a craft, and a social activity.

Cooking has also been a popular subject for television shows since the early days of broadcasting. The first cooking show on TV was probably "I Love to Eat", hosted by James Beard in 1946. Beard was a renowned chef, author, and teacher who introduced American audiences to various cuisines and techniques. He also advocated for fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients.

Since then, cooking shows have evolved and diversified into many genres and formats. Some cooking shows focus on teaching viewers how to cook, such as "The French Chef" with Julia Child, "Good Eats" with Alton Brown, and "Salt Fat Acid Heat" with Samin Nosrat. These shows often combine practical tips, recipes, demonstrations, and explanations of the science and history behind cooking.

Some cooking shows are based on competition, where chefs or amateurs face various challenges and are judged by experts or celebrities. Examples of this genre include "Chopped", "MasterChef", "Top Chef", and "The Great British Baking Show". These shows often feature drama, suspense, creativity, and skill.

Some cooking shows are more about exploring different cultures, cuisines, and stories through food. These shows often involve travel, interviews, and personal narratives. Examples of this genre include "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations", "Ugly Delicious" with David Chang, and "Chef's Table". These shows often inspire curiosity, appreciation, and empathy.

Cooking shows have become more than just entertainment. They have also become a source of education, inspiration, and connection for millions of viewers around the world. Cooking shows can help us learn new skills, discover new flavors, understand different perspectives, and celebrate our common humanity.

The history of cooking shows can be traced back to the 1930s in England, when the BBC broadcasted one of the first depictions of cooking by a cook on television. It was part of a magazine program called "London Characters" that showcased a selection of "interesting people", among them "The Singing Cook": a woman named Rosina Dixon who sang as she rolled out pastry.

In the 1940s and 1950s, cooking shows became more common and popular in both Britain and America. Some of the pioneers of this era were Philip Harben in Britain, who hosted "Cookery" from 1946 to 1951; Dione Lucas in America, who hosted "To The Queen's Taste" from 1948 to 1951; and James Beard in America, who hosted "I Love to Eat" from 1946 to 1947.

In the 1960s and 1970s, cooking shows expanded their scope and influence by featuring more diverse cuisines and personalities. Some of the icons of this era were Julia Child in America, who hosted "The French Chef" from 1963 to 1973; Graham Kerr in Britain and America, who hosted "The Galloping Gourmet" from 1969 to 1971; and Jeff Smith in America, who hosted "The Frugal Gourmet" from 1973 to 1997.

In the 1980s and 1990s, cooking shows became more commercialized and globalized by incorporating more celebrities, sponsors, products, and formats. Some of the stars of this era were Martin Yan in America and Asia, who hosted "Yan Can Cook" from 1982 to present; Emeril Lagasse in America, who hosted "Emeril Live" from 1997 to 2010; and Jamie Oliver in Britain and America, who hosted "The Naked Chef" from 1999 to 2001.

In the 2000s and 2010s, cooking shows became more diverse and innovative by exploring more genres, themes, issues, and platforms. Some of the examples of this era are Alton Brown in America, who hosted "Good Eats" from 1999 to 2012; David Chang in America and worldwide, who hosted "Ugly Delicious" from 2018 to present; and Samin Nosrat in America and worldwide, who hosted "Salt Fat Acid Heat"