Five Best Cooking Reality Shows

I absolutely adore the food channel. And, I love to watch all the different cooking shows available. I sit poised on the edge of my seat eagerly soaking in each new recipe and cooking tip. It never gets old.

Although it was very hard to narrow down, here are my five favorite reality cooking shows.

5. The Next Food Network Star - These type of shows are irresistible to me. I love to watch the competitions and who can be successfully creative in different situations. And, I really do enjoy watching someone gain a chance to fulfill a passion, to get that job that is a perfect fit.

That is the basis for this show. Each hopeful contestant vies for the title and the prize, which is his/her very own Food Network television show. Who could resist?

Each week competitions weed out the chef who doesn't quite cut it. And, finally, we have the last finale with the final two, and then ultimately "The Next Food Network Star." Unfortunately, except for Guy Fieri, I haven't liked any of the winners. That is why the show is at the top of my list and not closer to number 1.

4. Chopped - This show is also a competition. The prize is bragging rights and $10,000. The latter can be quite useful to someone just starting up a restaurant or trying to move forward.

The show's competition consists of 3 different dishes to be made: appetizer, entrée, and dessert. Four chefs begin the contest, opening up a basket that includes the disparate ingredients that have to be in the prepared dish. There is a time limit and then the three judges on the panel review the food and "chop" the chef they were least impressed by. The 3 chefs remaining get new ingredients to create an entrée. Again, the results are judged and a second chef is "chopped." The final 2 prepare a dessert (again with a whole new set of ingredients) and one chef is "chopped" and the last remaining chef is crowned a "chopped champion."

It is amusing when the chopped chefs whine about why they were let go, seeming to have every excuse available. Admittedly, sometimes the judges are quite critical over the little things, but that just makes it more enjoyable for the viewer. I enjoy watching these chefs try to blend some very crazy ingredients into one dish, and some get quite creative. That is when this show is at its best.

3. Iron Chef America - This has to be one of the most popular shows on Food Network. We have a group of celebrity or "iron chefs." These so called experts are called upon to compete against a challenger in Kitchen Stadium.Then, the iron chef and challenger have one hour to create five dishes based on a secret ingredient, which is revealed by the "chairman" at the start of the competition. Then the 5 dishes are judged on taste, plating (how nicely it is arranged on the plate), and originality. It's always fascinating to see who wins.

It is hosted by Alton Brown. I can't say enough about his quirky personality and it works on this show. It's a great show and way over the top, which is definitely part of its charm.

2. Dinner Impossible -This show always brings a smile to my face. The premise is simple. Robert Irvine is given a task, usually to cook for over 200 people in a limited amount of time. There is also a twist, for example he has had to make a whole meal that used some form of candy in each dish or, in one of my favorite episodes, he needed to create dishes that could be described as a word puzzle (ie: "On a shoestring" potates or "heart of gold," which was a pastry made with golden delicious apples wrapped in gold leaf).

Much of the success of this show has to do with Robert Irvine himself. His rough, yet loveable personality makes this show one of my favorites. Indeed, Michael Symon took over for a short time. I had no interest in those episodes. It didn't have the same feel.

1. Good Eats - This is the one show on my list that isn't a contest of some sort. Alton Brown shows us that anyone can accomplish something special in the kitchen. But, he adds his own twist. Using his knowledge of science and chemistry, Alton Brown helps us figure out how best to make several favorites.

Alton Brown seems down to earth, a regular guy who is able to bring the culinary arts to regular people. Many times when we watch cooking shows, even after watching it being done, we are uncertain that we can do it. His episodes are the exact opposite. Not being afraid to look foolish and with tongue held firmly in cheek, Alton Brown inspires the inner chef in all of us. That is why his show is number one on my list.

Have I picked your favorite? What show do you think I should have included or left out? I would love to hear your favorites.