Best Five Popular Cooking Shows Worth Watching

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Cooking shows are becoming more and more popular.  They used to be found only on PBS.  Now have entire networks dedicated to food, cooking, and the trials of being a chef. There's so much variety now that it's hard to choose. Here are 5 popular shows worth watching.

1.Iron Chef America

Sundays at 10pm/9c on Food Network

Who hasn't heard of Iron Chef? This is a cooking game show where an invited guest comes to do battle with one of several Iron Chefs. They're shown a secret ingredient chosen by the host and must make three dishes using it. These dishes are presented to judges who will vote on whose cuisine reigns supreme!

It's a fun-filled half-hour full of creativity and fast-paced cooking you don't want to miss. You owe it to yourself to give this show a chance!

2.Sandwich King

Sundays at 11am/10c on Food Network

Coming back for its second season, Jeff "The Sandwich King" Mauro continues his journey across America looking for the best sandwiches in the country.  He takes their ideas and then shows you how to make your own sandwich creations.  It's fun watching his versatility in taking old dishes and turning them into new sandwiches.  I'm looking forward to seeing him continue demonstrating how any sandwich can be a meal and any meal can be a sandwich.

3.Top Chef

Wednesdays at 10pm/9c on Bravo

Having just wrapped up its ninth season, this cooking reality show pits chefs from across the nation against one another in a wide variety of cooking challenges to compete for a large cash prize. These challenges aren't just culinary. Sometimes they have to pick their ingredients blindfolded, or in a very limited amount of time, or work with a partner without speaking. It's a real pressure cooker in this show to see who will come out on top.

4.Masterchef

Off-season

Masterchef is gearing up for its third season. This is my favorite cooking show! It's like Top Chef, but with more of an emphasis on cooking ability and on the amateur status of the competitors. Hosts Gordon Ramsey, Joe Bastianich, and Graham Elliot keep things running smoothly in a way that makes me want to keep watching.  I love seeing what amateur chefs can bring to the table. If you think you need to go to cooking school to be a good cook this show is sure to change your mind.

5.Man vs. Food Nation

Sundays at 12/11c on the Travel Channel

Adam Richman has been touring the nation for three years battling in all sorts of competitive eating contests. Now he's turning his sights to finding people willing to take on these challenges on their own and showing food who’s boss Could you eat a 12 egg omelet and potatoes in an hour, or a 36" pizza? You can get some tips and maybe score some free food along the way.

These shows should keep your DVR happy! From exciting challenges, to educational fare,  to just sheer gluttonous fun, these shows should be perfect for filling your belly with tasty entertainment. Try noshing on them and see what I mean.