Cooking Show Day

What Is Cooking Show Day?

January 21st is "Cooking Show Day." On this date in 1937, the BBC in the United Kingdom aired the world's first televised cooking show, featuring chef Marcel Boulestin. It was a groundbreaking attempt to teach cooking through this brand-new medium, and cooking shows have since grown into one of the most beloved genres of television worldwide.

The History of Cooking Shows

Cooking shows date back to the earliest days of television broadcasting and have continued to evolve ever since, sharing the joy of cooking with viewers and enriching family dinner tables.

The World's First Cooking Show

The BBC's 1937 cooking show ran for only about 20 minutes. Television in that era was broadcast live, so the chef had to demonstrate dishes efficiently within a tight time limit. Although television sets were still rare at the time, this early experiment laid the groundwork for all cooking shows to come.

The Beginning of Cooking Shows in Japan

In Japan, NHK's "Kyō no Ryōri" ("Today's Cooking") began broadcasting in 1957. As a long-running show spanning more than 60 years, it has influenced countless family dinner tables and helped establish the cooking show genre in Japan, particularly among homemakers.

The Appeal of Cooking Shows

Why do cooking shows captivate so many people? Their appeal goes far beyond simply showing how to prepare a dish.

• Easy access to professional techniques from the comfort of home
• Mouthwatering visuals and sounds that bring food to life
• The charm of the hosts and the pleasure of their commentary
• Discovering new dishes and ingredients
• A relaxing, almost meditative quality just from watching

Cooking Shows That Have Evolved with the Times

Cooking shows have continually changed their format and content to suit the needs of each era, and today a wide variety of styles entertain viewers.

A Range of Genres

• Educational style — the classic format that carefully teaches the basics
• Variety style — celebrities take on fun cooking challenges
• Competition style — chefs compete head-to-head
• Travel style — showcasing regional ingredients and local cuisines
• Documentary style — exploring a chef's philosophy and life story

Cooking Content in the Social Media Age

On platforms like YouTube and TikTok, individual creators have built huge followings with cooking videos. From quick recipe clips to professional-quality content, cooking shows have moved well beyond traditional television.

Memorable Cooking Shows

• Kyō no Ryōri (NHK) — Japan's beloved long-running show since 1957
• 3-Minute Cooking (Nippon TV/CBC TV) — a lifesaver for busy home cooks
• Iron Chef (Fuji TV) — sparked the global cooking battle craze
• Dotchi no Ryōri Show (Nippon TV) — a beloved ingredient face-off show
• Dancyu Gohan (TV Tokyo) — popular among male viewers

How to Spend Cooking Show Day

The best way to celebrate Cooking Show Day is to watch your favorite cooking show and then try making the dish yourself. Whether you rewatch a recorded episode or search for a recipe online, why not take on a new dish today? There's real joy in recreating with your own hands something you've only seen on screen.