A Look at Popular Cooking Competitions

Cooking competitions provide entertainment and inspiration, pitting amateur and professional chefs against each other in a wide range of cooking challenges. From friendly bake-offs to team competitions for large cash prizes, Netflix has something to offer home chefs and arm-chair critics alike.

The Great British Baking Show, known in the United Kingdom as the Great British Bake Off, has produced three different editions and a total of 14 seasons. The low-key competition invites amateur bakers to participate in 10 weeks of baking challenges. The wholesome competition is more supportive than cutthroat, with much of its appeal coming from the camaraderie the competitors develop over the course of the series.

Similarly, the Big Family Cooking Showdown’s two seasons invite entire families to participate in unscripted cooking challenges, aiming to elevate ordinary food into extraordinary dishes. Families compete in first-round challenges, such as the home visit challenge and the “impress the neighbors” challenge, before advancing to the semi-finals and finals. In each round, families must work together to impress the judge and avoid elimination. Ultimately, one family earns the crown.

Another UK-based option, the Million Dollar Menu, takes a Shark Tank approach to evaluating up-and-coming entrepreneurs in the restaurant industry. Contestants pitch their restaurant concepts to a panel of potential investors, who comment both on their business strategies and dishes. Contestants also practice their cooking skills on the public at their own pop-up eateries.

In addition to British imports, Netflix produces several of its own original cooking competitions. Presented by Bon Appétit editor-at-large Andrew Knowlton, the Final Table involves 12 pairs of chefs from around the world competing for a spot at the Final Table. Each episode highlights the cuisine of a particular country, and various celebrity critics and ambassadors make guest appearances. One team is eliminated each episode until only one team remains at the Final Table.

A fan favorite, Nailed It! swaps renowned professional chefs for amateurs. Utilizing a game-show format, the show features witty host Nicole Byer challenging contestants to recreate professional baked goods, typically with disastrous results. Viewers can watch four seasons of the show’s first iteration, as well as spin-offs such as Nailed It! Holiday and the latest version Double Trouble, where contestants compete in pairs.

Another popular option for viewers with a sweet tooth, Sugar Rush is a timed competition that requires baking pairs to craft impressive cupcakes, confections, and cakes. In each round, the panel of judges eliminates one couple, while the winning couples can bank extra time for the next round based on how quickly they complete the challenge. The winners of the final round take home $10,000.

Premiering in 2021, Bake Squad also presents talented bakers working together in a series of challenges. Presented by Christina Tosi, founder of the popular Milk Bar bakery, the show features next-level chefs crafting unbelievable treats, from cakes that look like life-size drum sets to a 260-piece, edible makeup collection. Each episode focuses on one special client-requested creation, which bakers must complete within 7 hours.