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Food Documentaries Every Media Buff Should Watch
- May 4
- 4 min read
Updated: May 10
Whether you're a filmmaker, designer, or storyteller, food documentaries offer more than just tasty visuals, they explore culture, sustainability, craft, and human connection. Here's a curated list of must-watch titles that will inspire your creativity while making you rethink what’s on your plate. 🌍🎥
Film Documentary Year Released: 2011 Where to Watch: Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube (rental)
This documentary profiles Jiro Ono, an 85-year-old Tokyo-based sushi master, and his relentless pursuit of culinary perfection at his renowned Michelin three-star restaurant, Sukiyabashi Jiro. Described by The Guardian as “a fascinating documentary about a Michelin three-star restaurant in Tokyo,” the film is visually minimalist yet deeply compelling.
Why It’s Worth Watching:
A striking portrait of discipline, legacy, and devotion to craft.
Highlights the beauty of mastery through meticulous repetition and purpose.
Benefit: An elegant meditation on artistry and lifelong dedication that inspires creatives across disciplines.
👨🏽🍳Chef’s Table
This visually captivating series profiles renowned chefs, delving into their philosophies, personal struggles, and creative journeys. As Decider notes, “The trademark visual aesthetic of Chef’s Table continues to offer enterprise-class food porn, while its chef profiles are insightful and often quite inspiring.”
Why It’s Worth Watching:
Each episode feels like a short film, blending culinary mastery with deeply human stories.
Highlights food as a powerful form of cultural and personal expression.
Benefit: An inspiring look at how storytelling can emerge from everyday passions and how identity can be shaped and shared through food.
Seasons: 2 (Asia, Latin America,USA) Year Started: 2019 Where to Watch: Netflix
This series highlights the unsung heroes of street cuisine, weaving deeply personal narratives that connect local dishes to heritage, resilience, and community. As Food & Wine states, “The series focuses on local chefs who bring generations of tradition to the table, showing how food is connected to family, identity, and culture.”
Why It’s Worth Watching:
Features street vendors often excluded from fine dining narratives, offering a fresh perspective on global culinary culture.
Focuses on resilience, entrepreneurship, and the emotional depth of food stories.
Benefit: Celebrates underrepresented stories and demonstrates how passion and creativity thrive, even in the face of adversity.
Seasons: 1 (4 Episodes) Year Started: 2018 Where to Watch: Netflix
Chef and writer Samin Nosrat guides viewers through Italy, Japan, Mexico, and California to explore how four elements, salt, fat, acid, and heat, shape every dish.
As Food & Wine notes, the series emphasises mastering these elements to transform an average cook into a great one, offering practical advice and insights into diverse culinary traditions.
Why It’s Worth Watching:
Combines science, travel, and narrative with a strong personal voice.
Explores the universality of food through a culturally respectful lens.
Benefit: Offers valuable lessons on foundational storytelling, structure, balance, and emotional tone, through food metaphors.
Seasons: 3 Year Started: 2019 Where to Watch: Netflix
Jon Favreau and chef Roy Choi cook, talk, and improvise with many guests from stars to food truck owners. Born from their experience on Chef (2014), it blends casual charm with creativity. As Forbes notes, "The guests are new, as are the locations Jon and Roy visit, but the love for one's fellow man and the food they eat remains as true as it did in the film."
Why It’s Worth Watching:
Fun, low-pressure, and collaborative — perfect for creatives who thrive on play.
Demonstrates how food builds bonds and storytelling across mediums.
Benefit: Reminds viewers that creativity doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful — sometimes it’s in the mess.
Film Documentary
Year Released: 2008 (Food, Inc.), 2023 (Food, Inc. 2)
Where to Watch: Apple TV, Prime Video, YouTube (Food, Inc.); Available for purchase (Food, Inc. 2)
Food, Inc. (2008) is an eye-opening documentary that explores the American food industry, focusing on the impact of industrial farming, corporate practices, and food labelling. The sequel, Food, Inc. 2 (2023), continues the conversation by highlighting both the challenges and the innovative solutions shaping the future of food. As The Guardian notes, the sequel "feeds its audience thin slices of hope wrapped around the stomach-churning stuff," acknowledging the strides made while recognising ongoing struggles in the food system.
Why It’s Worth Watching:
Pulls back the curtain on food economics and ethics.
A must-watch for those interested in where their food comes from and the journey it takes.
Benefit: Empowers creatives to tell impactful, fact-based stories with both empathy and visual storytelling.
🍽️Omnivore
Seasons: 1
Year Started: 2024
Where to Watch: Apple TV+
Omnivore is an eight-part documentary series created by René Redzepi and Matt Goulding. The series explores the cultural, historical, and environmental significance of various ingredients. As Bon Appétit highlights, "Omnivore" delves into the origins and production of popular ingredients, offering a fresh perspective on food documentaries.
Why It’s Worth Watching:
Provides an in-depth look at the intersection of food, culture, and sustainability.
Features stunning cinematography and storytelling that highlight the global journey of everyday ingredients.
Benefit: Inspires a deeper appreciation for the ingredients we often take for granted, encouraging thoughtful consumption and cultural understanding.
Seasons: 2
Year Started: 2021
Where to Watch: Netflix
High on the Hog is a documentary series hosted by Chef and writer Stephen Satterfield that traces the history of African American cuisine from its African roots to its profound influence on American food culture. The series explores the contributions of Black chefs, farmers, and food innovators in shaping the culinary landscape. As PBS highlights, "The series offers a compelling narrative of how African American cuisine has transformed America's food culture."
Why It’s Worth Watching:
Explores the deep historical connections between African heritage and American cuisine.
Features interviews with chefs, historians, and food experts.
Benefit: Provides a comprehensive understanding of the cultural and historical significance of African American cuisine.
🌟Final Bite
These food documentaries aren’t just about meals, they’re about meaning. Whether you’re a filmmaker looking for visual inspiration, a writer exploring emotional depth, a creative seeking clarity, or simply a foodie hunting for your next unforgettable dish, these titles deliver nourishment for both mind and soul. 🎥🍽️✨
