Buzz
YouTube is an enormous platform where anyone can upload anything, making it a vast and chaotic space. With so much content, it can be overwhelming to find the real gems amidst the noise. That's why we've sifted through YouTube to find the top cooking and food channels for your viewing pleasure. Whether you're looking for international flavors, historical recipes, comedy-driven food content, or even prison cooking, we've got you covered with the best channels on the platform.
10. Grandpa Kitchen
Why you'll love it: Grandpa Kitchen Cares for Indian Orphans and Cooks Outdoors
Grandpa Kitchen is a relatively new YouTube channel, having launched in late 2017. Despite its recent arrival, it already boasts nearly 200 videos and over 5 million subscribers. Based in a village in Telangana, India, the channel is run by a father and son duo from the region. Each video opens with soothing, heartfelt music as it showcases the orphans that will be served the food. The camera then transitions to Narayana Reddy, a 73-year-old man who lovingly introduces himself as 'your grandpa,' accompanied by a warm, endearing laugh. He explains the dish of the day before he and his son, Shrikant Reddy, who manages the YouTube channel, begin preparing the meal.
Outdoors, using enormous cooking pots, Grandpa Reddy prepares a wide array of dishes. From classic Indian recipes like butter chicken to global favorites like cheeseburgers and lasagna, he cooks them all in massive pots, enough to serve an entire village of orphans. For international dishes, he adds a distinct Indian twist, incorporating spices such as coriander powder, cumin, red chili sauce, ginger garlic paste, and black pepper. The variations of his recipes are intriguing, and the videos often lack music, lending them a soothing, ASMR-like quality. The most touching part of the videos is when he serves the food to the orphans, watching their happy, satisfied expressions as they eat. Grandpa never directly asks for donations; instead, he encourages viewers to like, subscribe, and share, allowing him to continue using his own funds to feed the hungry.
9. Townsend
Why you'll love it: The Channel Townsends Explores 18th Century Recipes and Historical Cooking Techniques
Townsends is a YouTube channel created by John Townsend, originally known for running a store in Pierceton, Indiana, that sold historical reenactment gear. While the store gained some recognition, it was the YouTube channel that skyrocketed his fame, transforming his business. The channel began with a focus on 18th-century recipes, staying authentic to historical methods. They strive to replicate recipes from old cookbooks as accurately as possible, though sometimes the instructions are unclear, requiring experimentation or educated guesses.
As the channel has evolved, John has expanded the content to explore life in the 18th century more broadly. He's demonstrated survival techniques, ways of life from the period, and conducted interviews with historical reenactors in character to educate viewers about the era. One of his most impactful interviews was with a Black woman who portrays the life of an enslaved woman in the 18th century. While the interview was uncomfortable for some, it offered an authentic portrayal of the harsh realities of enslaved life, shedding light on the strength of enslaved people while honestly depicting the difficult circumstances they endured.
8. Kitchen Nightmares
Why you'll love it: The Kitchen Nightmares Channel Delivers Your Dose of Gordon Ramsay's Fiery Outbursts
Most of you are probably familiar with Gordon Ramsay’s two popular shows: Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares, which aired in the United Kingdom, and Kitchen Nightmares, its American counterpart. Both shows featured the renowned food expert and fiery personality, Gordon Ramsay. While some viewers might find the rollercoaster ride of intense emotions draining, many enjoy the spectacle of people being yelled at for poor cooking. If you’re one of those people, the Kitchen Nightmares YouTube channel will definitely appeal to you.
The channel features all the most iconic moments of Gordon Ramsay tearing into incompetent chefs and criticizing unsatisfactory food, along with a plethora of excellent compilations. If you watch Kitchen Nightmares just to witness Ramsay's explosive outbursts, you’re in for a treat. The majority of the videos are filled with Ramsay’s wrath as he calls out chefs and restaurant owners for their culinary mishaps. While the constant negativity might be overwhelming for some, those who enjoy watching Ramsay’s fiery temper and his repeated disgust at bad food will find endless entertainment.
7. Great Depression Cooking
Why you'll appreciate it: Great Depression Cooking offers a genuine look into the food culture of America during that challenging period.
The YouTube Channel Great Depression Cooking has ceased posting new videos due to the passing of its beloved host. Clara Cannucciari, the star of the series and author of 'Great Depression Cooking With Clara,' passed away in 2013 at 98. Her grandson, Christopher, began filming her recipes and insightful commentary before her death, preserving her legacy for future generations. Though the channel no longer produces content, millions of people still view her videos, which offer a glimpse into the struggles and creativity of an era.
Clara shared her memories from the Great Depression, narrating how people survived with so little while preparing hearty meals to feed large families. Though she wasn’t fond of being on camera, her genuine nature shone through, filmed in her own kitchen with her long-used tools. Watching her stories may feel somber, but it's incredibly valuable in uncertain economic times. Understanding how to make affordable, nutritious meals is essential, and learning from Clara's experiences can prepare us for hard times or moments of scarcity.
Rasta Kitch
Why you'll love it: Rasta Kitchen offers an authentic journey into Ital cooking straight from Jamaica.
Rasta Kitchen is a hidden treasure on YouTube, which began about four years ago. Set in a riverside cottage in Jamaica, owned by a Rasta named Mokko and his family, the show gained attention after being featured on the World’s Together Travel Network. A few aspiring filmmakers from Canada contacted Mokko, and together with a small crew, a young man named Matthew began collaborating with Mokko to create cooking videos. Their goal is to garner enough attention to eventually transform Rasta Kitchen into a feature-length show on network television.
Many videos from Rasta Kitchen have gone viral, likely due to Mokko's easygoing nature and the casual way he interacts with Matthew and the film crew, as if they were friends sharing a meal. Mokko takes his time preparing authentic Ital dishes, offering detailed commentary as he goes. The meals he prepares are always healthy and mouthwatering. Unlike the fast-paced, edited cooking channels common today, Mokko’s slower, more relaxed style creates a sense of being right there with him in Jamaica, absorbing his culinary wisdom in his own charismatic way.
Kali Muscle
Why you'll love it: Kali Muscle will teach you how to prepare prison meals and bulk up on a budget.
Originally known as Chuck Kirkendall, Kali Muscle was born and raised in Oakland. During his early college years, he struggled financially and found himself surrounded by violence. In an attempt to survive, he made a grave mistake, committing armed robbery. He was caught and sentenced to eleven years in prison. Determined to turn his life around, he dedicated the next decade to bodybuilding, bulking up in the hopes of emerging from prison with a new purpose.
After his release from prison, Kali Muscle began landing commercials thanks to his impressive physique, giving him a small boost in his career. He now runs a YouTube channel where he shares tips on weightlifting, showing kids how to build strength and bulk up on a budget. As a motivational speaker and husband, Kali is driven to guide young people away from the prison experience he endured. His channel also features recipes from his time in prison, along with healthier meals he now consumes to maintain his bodybuilding routine, most of which are still affordable. His engaging personality and energetic delivery make it feel like he's speaking directly to you, offering advice and sharing his life lessons. His passion for helping others is truly contagious.
You Suck At Cooking
Why you'll love it: You Suck At Cooking combines humor and great recipes for a hilarious cooking experience.
If you haven't discovered 'You Suck At Cooking' yet and you're a fan of sarcastic, satirical humor, you're missing out. Hosted by a mysterious Canadian figure, the channel features healthy, homemade recipes with a comedic twist, full of snarky remarks, puns, and quirky effects. While the humor is central, the host uses fresh ingredients, and if you have some cooking knowledge, you'll pick up valuable tips and recipes along the way.
Most people tune in for the host's unique humor, which includes skits about fake girlfriends, a robot he supposedly built as a kid, a murder mystery involving sentient eggs, and numerous other comedic antics. Additionally, he occasionally wraps up episodes with original songs, complete with guitar and witty lyrics relevant to the cooking theme. While the tone may seem insulting at times, 'You Suck At Cooking' is all about entertaining you, while offering a few helpful tips on healthy, affordable cooking along the way.
TheWolfePit
Why you'll love it: TheWolfePit takes on the challenge of testing the weirdest dollar store foods for you, the viewers.
The WolfePit is run by Larry, a middle-aged Texan dad who cooks up hearty, classic Texas comfort food. While his recipes aren't always the healthiest, they are consistently delicious. However, Larry is most famous for his reviews of bizarre, processed food items, which he tackles with great enthusiasm and humor.
Larry's go-to shopping spot is the Dollar Tree, but he’s also known to try out peculiar processed foods from around the globe or any discounted items he can find. From canned whole chicken to Dollar Tree steaks, Larry follows the package instructions to the letter and then bravely samples these oddities for the audience. His calm voice, combined with his explanation of the nutritional details and strange ingredients, has a soothing, almost hypnotic effect on viewers. His dad jokes and silly puns only add to his charm, making you smile rather than cringe as you enjoy the whole experience.
ReportOfTheWeek
Why you'll love it: ReportOfTheWeek offers a unique fast food review experience — all while dressed in a suit and tie.
ReportOfTheWeek is a YouTube channel that began in 2011, initially focusing on food reviews. The channel's creator, known as Reviewbrah, captured attention early on for reviewing greasy fast food at the age of 13, all while dressed in a suit and tie. Over time, he expanded his content to include drink reviews and even started a radio-style show where he connects with his audience in a more personal, intimate setting.
John Jurasek, who is more famously known as Reviewbrah, became a well-known figure after his appearance on Comedy Central’s Tosh.0. Despite facing challenges like the temporary demonetization of his food review videos, he remained steadfast, continuing to produce high-quality content with support from his Patreon community. His ability to keep his suits spotless while reviewing food adds a unique touch, and his sophisticated demeanor gives the videos an unexpected charm. Though some may find it odd to treat fast food with such seriousness, Reviewbrah believes it's important, as fast food is a central part of many people's lives.
First We Feast
Why you'll love it: First We Feast isn't focused on cooking, but its Hot Ones series is absolutely unmissable for any food enthusiast.
First We Feast, a YouTube channel originating from a food blog that began in 2014, continues to thrive with its website to this day. The channel features a variety of shows, including The Burger Shop and The Curry Shop, which delve into food preparation techniques, share recipes occasionally, and most notably, offer a mix of food reviews. However, the channel is best known for its flagship series, Hot Ones, hosted by Sean Evans.
Hot Ones brings celebrities into a unique setting where they participate in an interview while eating increasingly spicy wings, which quickly intensify their discomfort. The interviews last about 20-30 minutes, and despite the pain of the wings, they prove to be engaging and worthwhile. The show has hosted numerous A-list stars and musicians, and the experience often encourages them to open up, offering more authentic and unguarded responses compared to the typical rehearsed lines seen in traditional interviews. Evans and his team stand out for their thorough research, asking thought-provoking questions that you won't hear elsewhere, while also providing a somewhat amusing spectacle of wealthy individuals enduring fiery wing challenges.
